To become nervous, anxious, or hesitant about doing something you had previously committed to or planned to do.
This phrase dates back to the late 19th century and likely comes from the physical sensation of feet becoming cold when blood flow is restricted due to fear or anxiety. The connection between cold extremities and nervousness has been observed across many cultures and time periods.
The physiological accuracy of this metaphor is remarkable - fear and anxiety actually do cause blood to flow away from extremities toward vital organs, literally making feet cold. It's a perfect example of how our language captures real bodily experiences in figurative expressions.
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