Question

Cold Feet a fear of doing something; a loss of nerve or confidence; second thoughts

Accepted Answer

Jerry wanted to ask Lynette to the dance, but he got cold feet. Since the early 1800s people have been saying that someone who lost his courage had cold feet. Maybe it came from the idea of soldiers running away from battle. Fear can cause a person to feel quickly chilled, especially in the feet. Also, "hot" has always suggested eagerness to do something. A "hot-blooded" person, for instance, is always ready for a fight or an adventure. So, it's easy to see how "cold feet" can suggest cowardice and fear.

Idiom	Cold Feet
Example	Jerry wanted to ask Lynette to the dance, but he got cold feet.
Meaning	a fear of doing something; a loss of nerve or confidence; second thoughts
Origin	Since the early 1800s people have been saying that someone who lost his courage had cold feet. Maybe it came from the idea of soldiers running away from battle. Fear can cause a person to feel quickly chilled, especially in the feet. Also, "hot" has always suggested eagerness to do something. A "hot-blooded" person, for instance, is always ready for a fight or an adventure. So, it's easy to see how "cold feet" can suggest cowardice and fear.

Cold Feet Fear Jerry Wanted Lynette Dance Loss