Cold feet (metaphor)

Cold feet (metaphor)

Cold feet is a term used to characterize apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action. Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 2000, Version 2.5] It is used to show when someone has lost the courage to do something.The Oxford English Dictionary attributes the first use of the term "cold feet" to mean "preventing a planned course" to Stephen Crane. In his 1896 edition of "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets", Crane wrote, "I knew this was the way it would be. They got cold feet." [ [http://www.slate.com/id/2117944/ "When Did We Get 'Cold Feet'? The Germans had 'em first!"] , by Daniel Engber, Slate.com, May 3, 2005]

Usage

*"Abertis shows cold feet on Atlantia deal." [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Abertis shows cold feet on Atlantia deal. |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSL2471654620071024 |quote=Abertis Chief Executive Salvador Alemany displayed signs of cold feet on the deal at a conference on Wednesday, however. ... |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-10-24 |accessdate=2007-10-31 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-13-2005/0004066566&EDATE= "Expert Advice on Cold Feet"] – Article from Brides Magazine
* [http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=718862&page=1 "Cold Feet Common in Brides-to-Be"] ABC News Good Morning America, May 1, 2005
* [http://www.slate.com/id/2117944/ "When Did We Get 'Cold Feet'? The Germans had 'em first!"] , by Daniel Engber, Slate.com, May 3, 2005


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