Cold feet Meaning in English
expression
ˈkoʊɫd/ /ˈfit
KOHLD FEET
kˈəʊld/ /fˈiːt
KOHLD FEET
Definition
To suddenly become nervous or unsure about doing something important, often before a big event like a wedding or presentation.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, usually about last-minute anxiety before a big decision (especially marriage), but also used for other major events. Often used in 'get cold feet' or 'have cold feet'. Not about physical temperature.
Spanish: dudas de última hora - arrepentirse (antes de un evento importante)Portuguese (BR): ficar nervoso (antes de algo importante) - desistir por medoPortuguese (PT): arrepiar-se (antes de algo importante) - desistir por medoChinese (Simplified): 临阵退缩 - 紧张（在重要时刻）Chinese (Traditional): 臨陣退縮 - 緊張（在重要時刻）Hindi: आखिरी समय में घबरा जाना - घबराहट (महत्वपूर्ण मौके पर)Arabic: التردد في اللحظة الأخيرة - الخوف قبل اتخاذ قرار مهمBengali: ভয় পেয়ে যাওয়া - দ্বিধায় পড়াRussian: струсить - занервничать (в последний момент)Japanese: 尻込みする - 怖気づくVietnamese: chùn bước - lo lắng bất ngờKorean: 겁이 나다 - 망설이다Turkish: gözünü korkmak - son anda vazgeçmekUrdu: ڈر جانا - گھبرا جاناIndonesian: tiba-tiba ragu - mendadak gugup
Example Sentences
She got cold feet before her wedding day.
basic
He started to get cold feet about moving abroad.
basic
Don't get cold feet—you can do it!
basic
She nearly called off the trip because she got cold feet at the last minute.
natural
It's normal to have cold feet before making a big decision like this.
natural
He promised to go on stage, but he got cold feet right before the show.
natural