cold feet

noun

, Informal.

1. a loss or lack of courage or confidence; an onset of uncertainty or fear:

   She got cold feet when asked to sing a solo.

cold feet

plural noun

1. informal.
   loss or lack of courage or confidence

cold feet

1. To “have cold feet” is to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action: “The backup quarterback was called into the game, but he got cold feet and refused to go in.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold feet¹

First recorded in 1890–95