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.
So don’t get cold feet now, coach. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025 Usually, buyers get cold feet because their financial situations change. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 The outlet says the scene alone is causing some theater chains across America to get cold feet over releasing the unrated Toxic Avenger. EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Phoenix initially brought the project to Haynes and developed it with the filmmaker before getting cold feet. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold feet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20feet. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cold feet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!