Translation guide
Describes the moment someone becomes too afraid or anxious to do something they had planned or intended to do.
Expressing that someone suddenly feels too scared or anxious to proceed with an intended action.
A common verb meaning to lose one's nerve, become frightened, or get cold feet. Often used when fear prevents someone from doing something.
Variant kanji form of 怖気づく, same meaning and usage.
Literally 'to pull back one's hips', meaning to hesitate or shrink back from doing something due to fear or lack of confidence.
彼女は人前で話すことに尻込みしている。
She's losing her nerve about speaking in public.
To feel intimidated or lose one's nerve, often in social situations or when facing a daunting task.
大勢の前で気後れして何も言えなかった。
I lost my nerve in front of the large crowd and couldn't say anything.
Another kanji variant of 怖気づく, less common but same meaning.
Specifically referring to a sudden loss of courage just before a planned event, like a performance, speech, or wedding.
Do not translate 'lose one's nerve' literally as 神経を失う (shinkei o ushinau). That would mean physically losing nerve tissue and sounds bizarre. Use the idiomatic expressions above.
本番前に怖気づいてしまった。
I lost my nerve right before the performance.
彼は高いところに登るのを怖じ気づいた。
He lost his nerve about climbing up high.
彼はその犬を見て怖気付いた。
He lost his nerve when he saw the dog.
Also used for 'getting cold feet' in the sense of backing out at the last moment.
結婚式の前日、彼は怖気づいた。
The day before the wedding, he got cold feet.
Can also imply getting cold feet, especially when hesitating to take a decisive step.
いざとなると尻込みしてしまう。
When it comes down to it, I get cold feet.