sweat out

British  

verb

1. to cure or lessen the effects of (a cold, respiratory infection, etc) by sweating

2. informal to endure (hardships) for a time (often in the phrase sweat it out )

3. informal to work extremely hard

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sweat out Idioms  

1. Endure or await something anxiously, as in He sweated out that last final exam, or I don't know if I made the team—I'm still sweating it out. This idiom, often expanded to sweat it out, was first recorded in 1876.

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Example Sentences

So they were forced to sweat out the Italy-Mexico game on Wednesday, where another Italian upset allowed them to back into the quarterfinals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

There has been much discussion about possible health benefits of sweating - spas offer services promising to "sweat out toxins," using steam, heat, and infrared light.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

Some founders break only to exercise at Barry’s boot camp or sweat out toxins at a bathhouse in the city, like Archimedes Banya, where they can chat about future funding rounds with peers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 12, 2025

Contestants were forced to weigh in shirtless — every natural curve, roll and fold beamed out to millions of American television sets — often after enduring eight hours of cardio to sweat out water weight.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2023

The girls tumbled into Dr. Bearden's Channellors Chamber covered in sweat, out of breath, and embarrassed.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• annoy
• bother
• depress
• disturb
• fret
• irritate
• perturb
• plague
• trouble
• try
• unsettle
• upset