Meaning
"Cold Feet"は、主に重大な決断やイベントを前にして突然不安や恐怖を感じ、行動をためらうことを指します。この表現は、特に結婚式などの重要な場面で用いられることが多いです。
例えば、結婚式の直前になって結婚に対する不安が募り、結婚そのものを再考したくなる状態を「getting cold feet」と言います。このような状況では、実際に行動に移す直前で急に怖くなったり、心配が増したりすることがよくあります。
この表現の起源ははっきりとしませんが、足が冷たくなることで動けなくなるというイメージから来ていると考えられています。日常会話でも、何かを始める前に不安を感じたときに使うことができます。
「Cold Feet」を感じることは人間として自然なことであり、時には状況を再評価する良い機会にもなります。大切なのは、その不安をどのように克服し、前に進むかです。
Example
Did you hear? The bride got cold feet and ran away before the wedding even started.
Don't tell me you've got cold feet. This heist needs to go as planned or we're all going down.
I'll be honest, I got cold feet when my company transferred me to a position in Asia. Especially since I've never been there.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they're also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can't learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
