What does the following idiom mean "To get cold feet"?

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The idiom 'To get cold feet' signifies a sudden loss of courage or confidence to proceed with a planned action.
It is a figurative expression for becoming too scared or nervous to do something, especially at the last moment.
Therefore, 'To be afraid' is the most accurate and direct meaning among the given options.

Option A: This option is completely unrelated to the meaning of the idiom. 'To grasp early' implies understanding something quickly.
Option B: This is a common distractor that plays on the literal meaning of the word 'cold'. The idiom is figurative and has nothing to do with body temperature or illness.
Option C: This option is incorrect as the idiom does not relate to a failure to understand something correctly.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Meaning of English Idioms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Effective communication is a cornerstone of nursing. Understanding common idioms helps in building rapport with patients who might use figurative language to express their feelings, such as fear or anxiety about a procedure.
A patient might say, 'I'm getting cold feet about the surgery tomorrow.' A nurse who understands this idiom can immediately recognize the patient's fear and provide appropriate emotional support, education, and reassurance.
What if? If a patient uses a different idiom for fear, like 'My heart is in my mouth,' the nurse's response should be the same: acknowledge the patient's fear, explore their concerns, and offer support. The specific idiom changes, but the underlying emotion and the required nursing action do not.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question is asking for the meaning of an idiomatic expression, 'To get cold feet'.
Recognize that idioms have figurative meanings that are different from their literal word-for-word definitions.
Consider the context in which you may have heard this phrase. It's often associated with major life events like weddings or public speaking, where nervousness is common.
Evaluate the options. Option (B) 'To catch cold' is a literal interpretation and is a common trap in idiom questions. Discard it.
Compare the remaining options. 'To be afraid' (D) is a strong emotion often linked with hesitation, which fits the context of 'cold feet'. Options (A) and (C) are not related to emotions of fear or nervousness.
Conclude that 'To be afraid' is the best description of the feeling conveyed by the idiom 'to get cold feet'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-07-p60JC5edTrcpgmZcc

Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.