THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Cold feet
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Sudden loss of confidence about something important.
Usage note: keep in mind
Get cold feet means become nervous or lose confidence before an important action, sometimes enough to withdraw. Use got cold feet in the past. It differs from simply being physically cold, and it often refers to hesitation shortly before a planned commitment.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- He got cold feet just before the wedding.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
He got ________ just before the wedding.
Show the answer
Cold feet — Sudden loss of confidence about something important.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Cold feet” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Sudden loss of confidence about something important.
Compare: He got cold feet just before the wedding.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- I had agreed to speak first, but I got cold feet when the room filled up.
- She nearly got cold feet before submitting her first story.
Check your understanding
A learner is excited about a presentation but wants to withdraw just before it begins. Which part of the situation makes the idiom fit?
Check your answer
The sudden nervous hesitation before a planned action. The expression describes confidence changing, not a lack of preparation by itself.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where cold feet fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.