to suddenly feel very anxious or fearful · to become visibly nervous due to fear
Imagine you're about to give a big presentation, or you just realized you forgot your passport at home right before your flight! 😱 That sudden surge of panic that makes your palms sweaty? That's when you "break into a cold sweat." It's perfect for describing that intense, anxious feeling! 😰
💡 **Historical Tidbit!** While the exact origin isn't perfectly clear, the idea of "cold sweat" has been associated with fear or illness for centuries, reflecting the physiological response to extreme stress or terror. 🥶 You might hear someone say 'I broke into a cold sweat' when they narrowly avoided a disaster or realized a big mistake! It emphasizes the intensity of their fear or anxiety.
Your friend tells you they had to give an impromptu speech and were extremely nervous, feeling sweat despite the cool room. Which English expression best describes their feeling? A. to be over the moon B. to break into a cold sweat C. to chill out