Hello everyone!
Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.
All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,
but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.
Is everyone ready? Let's begin.
Hello everyone!
Today's idiom is: cold feet.
Cold feet.
Alright, so it sounds very straight-forward.
Cold feet. Okay, my feet are cold. Brrrr.
But actually, no, this is a different meaning.
So, let's picture you're standing and you look down and your feet are in ice.
Okay, your feet are very cold, you're uncomfortable, you're nervous, you can't walk forward, okay?
You have cold feet, very cold feet in ice, alright?
So, this is the picture we're going to keep in our heads and imagine while we listen to the idiom, 'cold feet', in some examples.
Are we still going skydiving this weekend?
Sorry, I’m having cold feet about doing that!
Okay, so maybe they don't want to, they're not sure.
Alright, let's listen to the other example.
Were you able to ask a lot of questions in class?
Well, I wanted to ask a lot of questions, but I got cold feet when I saw there were more than 100 students in my class.
Okay, so he wanted to ask questions, but there were many students, so he got a little scared and nervous and he didn't do it.
He got cold feet.
Alright, so 'cold feet' means to lose courage to do something.
Maybe you wanted to do it, but now you're afraid and you can't do it or you're having trouble to do it.
Alright, it's very similar to the other idiom, 'was having second thoughts,'
but having second thoughts is you're thinking about it and maybe it's not a good idea, maybe you'll change your mind.
But, having cold feet is more of courage.
Yeah, you don't have the courage anymore.
For example, skydiving.
I want to go skydiving and you get in the plane... I have cold feet.
Alright, and this idiom is very commonly used when we're talking about getting married.
So, the man or the groom, very often gets cold feet and he needs help to go down the aisle.
Alright, so let's try using cold feet in an idiom when you're thinking, 'I can't do something. I'm having cold feet.' Alright?
But, I hope you're not having cold feet with your English class.
I hope you keep doing it and don't get scared and I'll see you next time.