sweat out
C1Informal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
To endure a difficult, tense, or anxious situation, especially through physical exertion or sheer will; to wait anxiously for something to happen.
To use physical exertion (like exercise or a sauna) to try to rid the body of toxins or alcohol. In some contexts, to work extremely hard on something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a phrasal verb. The meaning often hinges on whether the object is a physical substance (e.g., fever, alcohol) or an abstract state (e.g., a problem, a wait).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the phrasal verb with similar meanings. The 'detox via exercise/sauna' meaning is equally common. 'Sweat it out' is slightly more common in American English as a standalone phrase.
Connotations
Connotes a gritty, informal, physical perseverance. Slightly macho connotation in contexts of waiting or illness.
Frequency
Moderately common in both, with a very slight edge in frequency in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] sweat out [object] (e.g., a fever)[subject] sweat [object] out (e.g., sweat it out)[subject] sweat out (intransitive, e.g., in the sauna)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sweat it out”
- “Sweat bullets (related in meaning of anxious waiting)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used informally: 'We'll just have to sweat out the quarterly reports.'
Academic
Very rare, considered too informal.
Everyday
Common for discussing illness, sports, or anxious waiting: 'I'm just sweating out this cold.'
Technical
Used in fitness/wellness contexts: 'The goal of the session is to sweat out impurities.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's trying to sweat out the flu with plenty of tea and rest.
- The team had to sweat out the final minutes defending a narrow lead.
American English
- I'm just gonna sweat out this hangover at the gym.
- We sweated out the election results all night.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- When you have a fever, you sometimes need to sweat it out.
- The players sweated out in the hot sun.
- After the interview, I had a week to sweat out their decision.
- She went for a run to sweat out the stress of the day.
- Investors are sweating out the volatile market conditions, uncertain of the outcome.
- The director sweated out the final edits of the film under immense pressure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture someone in a sauna, sweat pouring out, waiting for a clock to tick down. The sweat (physical effort/stress) comes OUT as they endure the situation.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANXIETY/ILLNESS IS A FLUID REMOVED BY PRESSURE (sweating). ENDURANCE IS A PHYSICAL PROCESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'пот снаружи'. For 'sweat out a fever' use 'перенести температуру' or 'пропотеть'. For the 'endure' meaning, use 'выдержать', 'пережить', 'перетерпеть'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing. Incorrect separation: 'I sweat the cold out' is acceptable, but 'I sweat out it' is incorrect; must be 'I sweat it out'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'sweat out' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and colloquial. Avoid it in formal academic or business writing.
Yes, in the context of using a sauna or exercise for detox: 'I'm going to the gym to sweat out.' However, it more commonly takes an object (sweat out a cold, sweat it out).
'Work out' means to exercise or to solve a problem. 'Sweat out' specifically implies enduring something unpleasant or trying to expel something through sweating. You 'work out' at the gym for fitness; you 'sweat out' toxins at the gym.
Yes. When the object is a pronoun (it, them), it must come between the verb and particle: 'Sweat IT out.' With noun objects, both positions are possible: 'sweat out the fever' or 'sweat the fever out.'