get cold feet

VERB

back out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back down cancel give up renege surrender

WEAK

avoid back pedal beg off blow it off chicken out cop out go back on recant resign scratch shy from throw in the towel weasel out wiggle out worm out

VERB

chicken out

Synonyms

WEAK

avoid back down back out back pedal beg off blow it off bow out cancel cop out funk out give up give way go back on have no stomach for make concessions pull out recant renege resign scratch shy from surrender throw in the towel turn yellow weasel out wiggle out wimp out withdraw worm out yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It may well get cold feet and remove the line item before the bill makes it to a vote.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

Too many at all levels get cold feet and opt to wait for the “right time” to run.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024

Right now, doughty retail investors are looking like the most likely source of relief, as institutional players get cold feet in the midst of a macro maelstrom.

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2022

Collins said the female crew felt very supported by Pixar's executives, who did not get cold feet about the film's subject matter.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2022

By this time he an' his gang had me crowded in a corner, an' from their looks I begun to get cold feet.

From The Man of the Forest by Grey, Zane

get cold feet

Example Sentences

Related Words