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UKCold sweat
/kˈəʊld swˈɛt/
/kˈoʊld swˈɛt/Cold sweat
[NOUN]
What is the origin of the idiom "cold sweat" and when to use it?
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.
Examples
1. I was bathed in cold sweat out of fear.
2. -Well, I get dizzy sometimes, nausea, cold sweats, hot sweats, fever blisters.
3. If you whisper a lie to your girlfriend in California, Mueller sits up in bed in a cold sweat.
4. But I would wake up every night at 4:00 AM in a cold sweat and just stare at the ceiling.
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