cold sweat

American  

noun

1. a chill accompanied by perspiration, caused by fear, nervousness, or the like.

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cold sweat British  

noun

1. informal a bodily reaction to fear or nervousness, characterized by chill and moist skin

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cold sweat Idioms  

1. see in a cold sweat.

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Etymology

Origin of cold sweat

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Of course, I wake up in cold sweats some nights thinking exactly that.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It involved really intense choreography," said Safdie, admitting he broke into a few cold sweats while preparing for the shoot.

From Barron's

I awoke in a cold sweat, comforted by the realization that I was still at home.

From Los Angeles Times

“I swear I broke out in a cold sweat.”

From New York Times

“When I think about it, I still break into cold sweat,” he said, adding that he has struggled with mental illness since his release.

From New York Times

Related Words

• angst
• apprehension
• concern
• disquiet
• doubt
• dread
• jitters
• misery
• misgiving
• mistrust
• nervousness
• panic
• restlessness
• suffering
• suspense
• trouble
• uncertainty
• unease
• uneasiness