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]
in a cold sweat
| Idioms: in a cold sweat |
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 | sweat (Idiom) |
| cold sweat |
| Cold Sweat (1993 Adult Film) |
 | What can cause Cold sweats and passing out? Read answer... |
| Why do men get cold sweats? Read answer... |
| What causes awakening in cold sweats? Read answer... |
Help us answer these
 | Can diabetes make you have cold sweats? |
| Do you sweat then get cold when you have the flu? |
| What can you do for the cold sweats in withdrawal? |
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Copyrights:
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 | Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
Related answers
- What is a cold sweat?
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Mentioned in
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- Cold Sweat (1993 Adult Film)
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- Why do people sweat when they're nervous? (kids)
- cold (Idiom)
- Cold Sweat (Rock Band, '80s, '90s)
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- chest pain
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