“Sweating in a cold sweat” means being scared or anxious, and can be literal or figurative. It can be caused by fear or illness, and may include symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and dizziness. It can also be a sign of serious conditions like heart attacks, so seek medical attention if accompanied by other symptoms.
The phrase “sweating in a cold sweat” generally means that one is scared, nervous, anxious, or terrified. More literally, it refers to sweating that occurs due to some factor other than increased body heat or physical exertion. This can be due to any of the reasons mentioned above or due to an illness of some kind.
“Sweating in a cold sweat” can be taken both literally and figuratively. Sometimes when one becomes very scared or nervous, sweating may occur. Other times this phrase is used as a way of speaking to imply that someone was experiencing these emotions, whether or not a physical sweating response occurred. Symptoms often occur alongside sweating, including rapid heartbeat, trembling, anxiety, dizziness, and sometimes fainting.
Most commonly, the phrase is used figuratively rather than literally. When people say they were in a cold sweat, it is usually just meant to imply that the person was scared, anxious, frightened, or nervous. A real sweat does not generally occur unless these feelings are prolonged. It is also usually referred to the fear or anticipation of an impending unpleasant event rather than a sudden and unexpected fright. Cold sweat occurs while the person is waiting for the threat or perceived threat to come.
Feeling fearful or nervous can also cause a literal feeling of heat, combined with fast heart rhythms that can lead to sweating. This is one possible explanation of the origin of the phrase. In a more literal sense, a high fever can also lead to sweating because your core temperature is overheated, but your skin may feel cool or cold.
A cold sweat can also include any unexplained sweating that occurs when the temperature doesn’t warrant it. This can be caused by glandular conditions within the body, although sometimes a cause is never found. Those who find themselves sweating more than most should see a doctor.
Sometimes, when a person starts breaking out in a cold sweat, it can be a sign of a serious and life-threatening condition. For example, it is not uncommon for heart attack victims to sweat profusely during the episode. You need to see a doctor right away if you experience sweating along with shortness of breath, chest pain, chest tightness, or other bothersome symptoms.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
