cold sweat

noun

a chill accompanied by perspiration, caused by fear, nervousness, or the like.

Origin

1700-10

Examples from the web for cold sweat

When it comes to the art of war, it's army ants that will make you break into a cold sweat.
Your hands tremble, your pulse races, a cold sweat spreads across your back.
And then, finally, the politicians wake up late one night in a cold sweat.
Financial supervisors tend to be sober and calm, but that tale ought to bring any half-competent regulator out in a cold sweat.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Napoleon is said to have broken into a cold sweat at the sight of one.
At this, the manager breaks into a cold sweat, and no wonder.
He now knew how to restrain his fears to a twitchy eyelid or an icy-cold sweat.
May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

British Dictionary definitions for cold sweat

noun

(informal) a bodily reaction to fear or nervousness, characterized by chill and moist skin

cold sweat in Medicine

cold sweat n.
A reaction to nervousness, fear, pain, or shock, characterized by simultaneous perspiration and chill and cold moist skin.

Idioms and Phrases with cold sweat