🥶 Getting Cold Feet: The Saga of Timidity ❄️
Definition:
To be timid; to back off from some undertaking.
Synonyms:
- Chicken out
- Lose one’s nerve
- Bail
- Get the jitters
- Back down
Antonyms:
- Take the plunge
- Forge ahead
- Jump in
- Dig in
- Brave it out
Origins:
The phrase “getting cold feet” appears in the nineteenth century with the meaning we recognize today: to retreat or hesitate due to fear or uncertainty. Interestingly, in the early seventeenth century, the Italian proverb “Avere i piedi freddi” meant to lack money, and even made its way into Ben Jonson’s Volpone in the same context.
Disputed Sources:
Some intriguing theories behind this expression’s contemporary meaning include:
- Soldiers retreating in battle because their feet were literally frozen.
- A German novel from 1862 where a card player withdraws from a game, claiming his cold feet made it impossible to continue.
Humorous Quote:
“It’s pretty simple. As footballers we just have to run to the correct side when we broke down. The difficult part is when you have to make a choice and get cold feet even with sweat-soaked socks!”
Similar Expressions:
- Get cold toes - another anatomical but less common analog.
- Have second thoughts - more general but still hits the hesitation mark.
Proverbs and References:
- “Faint heart never won fair lady.”
- “He who hesitates is lost.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: The Art Of War by Sun Tzu – Discussion on bravery and timidity
- Song: “Hero” by Mariah Carey – About bravery through fear
- Poetry: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost – Choices and hesitation
- Movie: The Cinderella Man – A tale of triumph over fear in the boxing ring
Quizzes:
With this deeper understanding of an all-too-familiar phrase, may your feet stay warm and your nerve steadfast! 🌟👣
Inspirational Parting Thought: Your next big undertaking isn’t just a steep climb, it’s an adventure. Remember, even the bravest souls get cold feet. It’s how you warm them up that truly counts.
Safe journeys,
📝 Wordsmith Winterbottom
🤓 Published: October 1, 2023
