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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.

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

Home-purchase cancellations remain elevated because high housing costs and economic uncertainty are giving some buyers cold feet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Bouts of cold feet over lofty valuations in the stock market — and in artificial-intelligence plays in particular — have been blamed.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

Anya struggled to her cold feet, eyes wide as smoke began to seep through the floorboards into the cellar.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack