She got cold feet the day before her wedding and wasn't sure if she could go through with it.
AHer feet were literally cold
BShe became brave
CShe became nervous and doubtful
DShe fell ill
Answer:
C. She became nervous and doubtful
Read Explanation:
Understanding the Idiom "Cold Feet"
- The idiom "cold feet" refers to a feeling of nervousness, fear, or hesitation that makes someone reluctant to proceed with a plan or commitment.
- It implies a sudden loss of courage or conviction, often just before a significant or challenging event.
- Example usage: "She had been planning to travel abroad for months, but got cold feet at the last minute and cancelled her trip."
Origin and Historical Context
- While the exact origin is debated, one popular theory suggests its roots in military contexts, where soldiers might experience literal cold feet due to poor equipment, leading to a reluctance to fight.
- Another theory attributes its origin to card games, where a player with "cold feet" would be hesitant or fearful about placing a bet.
- The phrase gained wider traction in English literature and common usage in the 19th century, with early appearances linked to translations of German works.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
- Idioms and phrases are a fundamental part of the English Language section in most competitive exams (e.g., SSC, Banking, UPSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS).
- Understanding idioms like "cold feet" is crucial for:
- Meaning-based questions: Where you need to identify the correct meaning of an idiom from given options.
- Sentence completion/Improvement: Choosing the appropriate idiom to fit the context of a sentence.
- Error detection: Identifying if an idiom is used incorrectly in a sentence.
- "Cold feet" is a very common and frequently tested idiom due to its clear, relatable meaning and widespread usage in everyday English.
- Candidates should focus on not just memorizing meanings but also understanding the context in which idioms are used.