sweat like a pig / horse

/swˈɛt lˈaɪk ɐ pˈɪɡ ɔː hˈɔːs/

/swˈɛt lˈaɪk ɐ pˈɪɡ ɔːɹ hˈɔːɹs/

[phrase]

to sweat like a pig / horse

[PHRASE]

to be very hot and sweat a lot

to [sweat] like a [pig|horse] definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "sweat like a pig" and when to use it?

The term "sweat like a pig" likely originated from the misconception that pigs are sweaty animals due to their large bodies. In reality, pigs do have sweat glands, but they regulate their body temperature primarily through other means such as urinating. It is used to describe someone who is perspiring heavily or excessively, often due to physical exertion, intense heat, nervousness, or anxiety.

Examples

1. Despite the cold weather, David sweats like a horse whenever he plays basketball.

2. Lisa, who had just finished her intense workout, was sweating like a pig as she caught her breath.

3. The workers, in the scorching heat of the summer, sweated like pigs while carrying heavy loads to complete the construction project.

4. The athletes pushed themselves to their limits during training, sweat pouring down their faces as they sweated like horses in pursuit of victory.

Nearby words

up the river

have seen better days