sweat
B1Neutral to informal. The noun is standard; the verb can be informal when meaning 'to worry'.
Definition
Meaning
The clear, salty liquid that comes out through the skin when one is hot, nervous, or ill; also the process of producing this liquid.
To work hard, to be anxious or worried about something; also used for condensation (e.g., on a cold glass).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer literally to perspiration or metaphorically to hard work, anxiety, or effort. 'Sweat' as a verb for condensation is common (e.g., 'The pipes were sweating'). The informal verb phrase 'don't sweat it' means 'don't worry'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'sweat' as noun and verb. The phrase 'sweat it out' is common in both. 'Sweat' as a verb meaning 'to worry' (e.g., 'I'm sweating the deadline') is slightly more informal and perhaps more common in AmE.
Connotations
In both, it can have negative connotations of anxiety or unpleasant labour, but also positive ones of honest effort (e.g., 'the sweat of his brow').
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (He was sweating.)[V + over + NP] (She sweated over the details.)[V + NP] (The job sweated the team.)[V + adv] (The glass sweated in the humidity.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break a sweat”
- “don't sweat it”
- “sweat bullets”
- “sweat blood”
- “sweat the small stuff”
- “no sweat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'We need to sweat the assets more.' (use more efficiently).
Academic
Rare except in biological contexts (e.g., thermoregulation).
Everyday
Very common: 'I'm sweating after that run.' / 'Don't sweat the presentation.'
Technical
In engineering: 'sweat fitting' (a type of pipe joint using solder).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a bead of sweat on his forehead.
- After moving the furniture, his shirt was damp with sweat.
American English
- She broke into a cold sweat before the interview.
- The workout was tough—I worked up a real sweat.
verb
British English
- I always sweat a lot during my weekly five-a-side match.
- The builders were sweating in the summer heat as they repaired the roof.
American English
- He's sweating his final exams.
- The cold drink can sweated in the humid air.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is hot, and I am sweating.
- He wiped the sweat from his face.
- I always sweat when I'm nervous.
- The glass of water was sweating in the heat.
- We really sweated to get the project finished on time.
- Don't sweat the minor details; focus on the big picture.
- The company is sweating its assets to improve liquidity.
- He was sweating bullets waiting for the verdict from the board.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWEAT: When it's SWEltering, you get wET.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANXIETY/WORK IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN (e.g., 'sweating over a problem', 'the project is making me sweat').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'sweet' (/swiːt/). The Russian word 'пот' is a direct equivalent for the noun, but the verb 'to sweat' has wider metaphorical uses in English (to worry, to work hard).
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /swiːt/ (like 'sweet').
- Using 'sweat' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I had many sweats' vs. 'I broke out in a sweat').
Practice
Quiz
In the informal phrase 'no sweat', what does 'sweat' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable (e.g., 'There was sweat on his brow'). It can be countable in specific phrases like 'a cold sweat' or 'the sweats' (informal for a feverish condition).
Both 'sweated' and 'sweat' are accepted, though 'sweated' is more common in standard use (e.g., 'He sweated/sweat through the night').
Meaning is identical. 'Perspire' is more formal or clinical, while 'sweat' is the common, neutral word.
Yes, for condensation (e.g., 'The windows sweat in winter') or in technical contexts like 'sweat soldering'.