break sweat

break a sweat

To put forth a large amount of energy or effort into or toward a task. Usually used in the negative to indicate the opposite. Likened to perspiring due to strenuous physical activity. That test was so easy, I aced it without even breaking a sweat. She didn't break a sweat becoming the district attorney.
See also: break, sweat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

break ˈsweat

(British English) (American English break a ˈsweat) (informal) use a lot of physical effort: He hardly needed to break sweat to reach the final.
See also: break, sweat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • break a sweat
  • a Monday morning quarterback
  • beaver away
  • spat
  • spit (out) the dummy
  • spit the dummy
  • stop the bleeding
  • raccoon eye(s)
  • get (one's) rocks off on (something)
  • as though
References in periodicals archive
For the relatively few years that I've followed their results, Villa players seem to go through the motions without ever looking like really wanting to win or even break sweat.
Letter: Time for Villa to change top men
SHREWSBURY scarcely had to break sweat as they boosted their play-off chances with a third successive 3-0 win at Gay Meadow.
Shrews tighten play-offs grip; SHREWSBURY 3 HALIFAX 0
PREPARING: Brian Canavan and Armagh have yet to break sweat
Football: CANAVAN: I'M HAPPY AFTER LEAGUE REST; THE TOP READ ON GAELIC GAMES EVERY SUNDAY 'We won't be bothered about getting serious for some time'
SMOULDERING HOT J Supermodel Miranda Kerr MAKING IT EASY Miranda does not appear to break sweat working out
She sure knows how to take Kerr of herself
But it still seems perfectly happy not to break sweat by giving us that many laughs.
Not much comedy, but it works
Second-half tries from Daniel Larrechea, Sebastien Bruno and Cueto's late effort, along with 10 points from the boot of Charlie Hodgson, gave the scoreline a glossy look for the home side, but in truth they never really had to break sweat.
Rugby
A week on from his Irish 2,000 triumph on Indian Haven, Egan hardly had to break sweat on Dazzling Bay who picked up long-time leader Willhewiz with no difficulty inside the final furlong before easing clear.
Racing: So easy for Bay
Richard Quinn's only ride at the meeting, Old Blue Eyes, the odds-on favourite, ensured the jockey did not need to break sweat after journeying from Newmarket's afternoon fixture and had three and a half lengths to spare over Polar Impact at the line.
Newcastle: Old Blue Eyes has rich prize in sights
le more The six-year-old, owned by Rich Ricci (above), had beaten off Vaniteux when that rival came down at the second-last, eventually beating Sizing John by seven lengths, and shouldn't break sweat here.
NEWSBOY SAYS.. DOUVAN is eight [...]
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Dream On WHO needs Liam when you can deliver classic rock all on your own, without appearing to break sweat? That's exactly what Noel does here with another variation on a theme ploughed since Oasis' Importance Of Being Idle.
SINGLES