Exercise

1. If you get cold feet, this means that:

a) you feel very brave about doing something

b) you feel too cold to do something

c) you feel too nervous to do something

 

2) This expression might have started with:

a) soldiers

b) sailors

Answers

1. c

2. b

Read

You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression get cold feet. Let’s listen to the dialogue.

A: Are you ready for the big show tonight? Have you been practising your singing?

B: I'm really nervous! I have to sing all on my own in front of hundreds of people! I don't think I can do it.

A: You have to do it! You've prepared really hard. You can't get cold feet now!

B: No, you're right! I must try to be more confident.

When people have to do something very important, they sometimes become very nervous. If you feel really nervous, you might even think about not doing that important thing at all. In those situations, we say that you get cold feet. Some people feel nervous and unsure like this when they are considering changing their job or moving house. Sometimes, people even get cold feet on their wedding day!

The expression might originate from the army, when soldiers would use their frozen feet as a reason not to go into battle.

And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.

You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.