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Definitions

cold feet

NOUN
loss of nerve preventing completion of an action
Synonyms
WEAK
anxiety apprehension backing out chickenheart doubt faint heart fear fear of carrying out an activity reservations second thoughts timidity weak knees white feather yellow streak

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mubi spent $12 million in 2024 to buy “The Substance” after its original distributor, Universal Pictures, got cold feet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

There has been no public indication so far that sponsors are getting cold feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

With the market suddenly getting cold feet over artificial intelligence, investors have been snapping up shares of long-neglected staples stocks.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

Aarthi Swaminathan helped a reader who is under contract to buy a home, but is getting cold feet as she faces a high level of combined expenses relative to her income.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

When I didn’t answer, she asked, “What’s that face about? You have cold feet about getting onstage?”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu