got cold feet
Lost one's nerve
Got cold feet means lost nerve or became too anxious to proceed with something previously planned.
The phrase typically describes backing out at the last moment due to fear or doubt: She got cold feet and called off the wedding.
Someone who gets cold feet about a business deal or major decision hesitates when commitment looms.
- flinchedRecoiled involuntarily from threat
- backed outWithdrew from commitment
- pulled outRemoved or exited
- backed offWithdrew from confrontation
- chickened outRetreated from fear
lost nerve · bail out · changed mind · anxiety · hesitation · second-guessing · last minute · reconsideration · commitment · engagement · promise · performance anxiety · wavering · reluctance · jilted · runaway bride · fear · withdrawal
got cold feettook the plunge
Made a bold decision
followed through · committed · went ahead · bit the bullet · doubled down
got cold feetwent for it
Attempted despite risk
took the bull by the horns · took heart · steeled oneself · faced the music · rose to the occasion
gets, getting, getter, cold, colder, coldest, coldly, coldness, feet