cold
sweat
noun
Third Person
cold sweats
1
a state in which one sweats because of being really scared or anxious
The origin of the idiom "cold sweat" is derived from the physical reaction of the human body when experiencing intense fear, anxiety, or extreme stress. It has been used figuratively to describe this physiological response since at least the 18th century. This phrase is used to describe a physical reaction to intense fear, anxiety, or stress. It is commonly employed in various contexts and occasions where there is an emphasis on the overwhelming emotional response of an individual.
- I break into a cold sweat whenever I have to speak in front of a large audience.
- She often breaks out in a cold sweat during exams.
- The thought of heights makes him break into a cold sweat.
- He broke into a cold sweat when he realized he had lost his passport.
- I broke out in a cold sweat after narrowly avoiding a car accident.