in a cold sweat

in a cold sweat

Sweating because one is nervous or frightened. Any time I have to get blood drawn, I break out in a cold sweat the minute I get to the doctor's office. I used to be terrified of driving, but now I can get behind the wheel without breaking out in a cold sweat!
See also: cold, sweat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in a cold sweat

in a state of fear. He stood there in a cold sweat, waiting for something bad to happen. I was in a cold sweat while they counted the ballots.
See also: cold, sweat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in a cold sweat

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]
See also: cold, sweat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in a cold sweat

or

in a sweat

If someone is in a cold sweat or in a sweat, they are feeling extremely anxious or afraid. She was in a cold sweat thinking of what the next day's visit would bring. She dialled his number every half-hour. No reply. By two in the morning she was in a sweat of totally illogical jealousy. Note: People often say that they wake up in a cold sweat, meaning that they suddenly wake up, feeling extremely anxious or afraid. I woke up in a cold sweat, thinking I'd made the wrong decision. Note: You can also say that something brings you out in a cold sweat or that you come out in a cold sweat thinking about something. I still come out in a cold sweat thinking about what might have happened. Thoughts of the bank loan brought him out in a cold sweat.
See also: cold, sweat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

in a cold sweat

in a state of sweating induced by fear, nervousness, or illness.
See also: cold, sweat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in a cold sweat

mod. in a state of fear. He stood there in a cold sweat, waiting for something to happen.
See also: cold, sweat
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • break out in a cold sweat
  • frighten
  • scare
  • take cold
  • catch a cold
  • sweat the small stuff
  • find (one's) tongue
  • find tongue
  • find your tongue
  • find your voice/tongue
References in periodicals archive
He claims he often breaks out in a cold sweat before shows and only begins to relax once the laughter starts.
Stage is no joke for Dara
If only Laurent Robert would do that for Newcastle or Marcus Stewart for Sunderland, we North East footy fans wouldn't come out in a cold sweat every May!
They've got you in a real sweat
May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
Heart attack signs
"If the idea of auditioning for one more job or summer dance program makes you break out in a cold sweat, you should know that you are not alone."
Auditions