get cold feet
Lose your nerve
To get cold feet is to lose nerve or confidence just before doing something, especially something risky or consequential.
The phrase typically describes backing out of commitments—weddings, business deals, major decisions: He was going to propose, but he got cold feet.
The image suggests fear literally chilling the body.
- chicken outWithdraw due to fear
- back outWithdraw from commitment
- back downWithdraw from a stance
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- second thoughtsDoubts after deciding
lose your nerve · back out of · stage fright · wimp out · reconsider · withdraw · cop out · fear · hesitation · balk · indecision · wedding · altar · left at the altar · bride · runaway bride · engagement · wavering
- body idiomsheart of gold, heart of stone, cold heart, warm heart, soft heart
get cold feettake the plunge
Commit after hesitation
go for it · bite the bullet · take the leap · dive in · seize the moment
get cold feetstay the course
Continue despite difficulties
hold one's nerve · stick to one's guns · hold firm · stand firm · keep the faith