Posted by R. Berg on January 03, 2001
In Reply to: Cold Feet? posted by Vinnie Rinaldi on January 02, 2001
: Hi... I searched hi and lo... it's listed here as an expression.. but I cannot find the meaning! To Have Cold Feet... anyone know? Thanks and happy New Year to all!
American Heritage Dictionary says: "cold feet. Slang. Failure of nerve."
Someone who "has [or "gets"] cold feet" has sudden misgivings about a contemplated course of action and is likely to back out. I imagine the phrase comes from the effect of fear on one's circulatory system.
You're welcome.