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Showing results for in a cold sweat. Search instead for break out in a cold sweet.
Synonyms

in a cold sweat

Idioms  
  1. Feeling nervous or terrified, as in When I looked over the cliff, I broke out in a cold sweat. This expression refers to perspiring accompanied by a feeling of cold, which can be induced by acute fear as well as by fever. [Late 1700s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Charles Green, Imran Ahmad, Derek Llambias, Barry Leach, David Somers - all these and more still have the capacity to make some on the current board break out in a cold sweat.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2024

"Even when I realise I am not in Kuta traffic, I can shake in fear, break out in a cold sweat and feel really scared."

From Reuters • Oct. 11, 2022

Even the most devoted cat owners wonder at some point, perhaps waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, whether their cat really loves them.

From Scientific American • Oct. 5, 2022

Thomas awoke early in the morning in a cold sweat, vomiting on his floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2022

I jerked upright in a cold sweat, shouting his name.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

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