B2idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
break out in a cold sweat
USUK
to start sweating suddenly because you are very afraid or nervous
Same image as Vietnamese 'toát mồ hôi lạnh'. Note 'break out in', not 'break out of'.
In context
I broke out in a cold sweat when I realised my passport was still at home.
Just thinking about public speaking makes him break out in a cold sweat.
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- a new lease of lifenew energy, or a chance to be active or useful again
- a ripe old agea very old age, reached in good health
- a second windnew energy that lets you continue after you felt too tired
- a shadow of your former selfmuch weaker, thinner or less impressive than before