cold feet

plural noun

: apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action

Examples of cold feet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Diddy's legal team was concerned about jurors getting cold feet over the weekend, and Judge Arun Subramanian agreed. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025 The final selection was delayed until today over fears jurors might get cold feet over the weekend. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 12 May 2025 Given the length of this trial, the parties agreed to give some time to see if anyone would get cold feet. Nbc News, NBC news, 12 May 2025 So: cold feet or just some spring-market weirdness in a market that’s prone to being weird? Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold feet

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold feet was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Cold feet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20feet. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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