a drip of sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drip of sweat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of sweat that has fallen or is falling from a person's body, often in a context related to physical exertion or heat. Example: "As he finished the marathon, a drip of sweat rolled down his forehead, a testament to his hard work and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And today it would be with Bill Cosby at the helm, not even a drip of sweat, thinking how to do things for quote-unquote today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rarely has the drip of sweat from the brow felt more pleasing.

The Times

A bus is essentially an oven on wheels; trains run so infrequently that even if they're big, there are so many people on board that you're likely to get a drip of another person's upper lip sweat in your hair.

Vice

A constant drip of bat sweat beads off the tip of his rubberised nose armour like a leaky faucet and he continually dabs it dry with a shredded paper towel. .

Vice

A constant drip of bat sweat beads off the tip of his rubberized nose armor like a leaky faucet and he continually dabs it dry with a shredded paper towel. .

Vice

A "drip, drip" of further high-pay headlines is predicted by the HCA for 2014.

The Guardian

A bead of sweat drips down his forehead before he throws back his head in a belly-shaking laugh.

Forbes

"A cathedral of sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

She wiped a line of sweat away.

Los Angeles Times

The sun was relentless and beat down on my back as I wiped drips of salty sweat from my neckline.

BBC

I catch drips of his sweat with my mouth and savor the taste.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drip of sweat" to vividly portray physical exertion, heat, or nervousness in your writing. It adds a sensory detail that can enhance the reader's experience.

Common error

Avoid using "a drip of sweat" in formal or professional writing where a more clinical or detached description of perspiration might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drip of sweat" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drip of sweat" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to vividly depict physical exertion, heat, or nervousness. While not exceedingly common, as shown by Ludwig, it effectively adds sensory detail to writing, particularly in journalistic or narrative contexts. When choosing an alternative, consider whether you want to emphasize the dripping action, the amount of sweat, or the overall state of perspiration. While acceptable in news and media sources, it may be too informal for academic or business writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A drop of sweat

A more generic term for a small quantity of sweat.

A bead of perspiration

Emphasizes the formation of a rounded drop rather than the action of dripping.

A trickle of sweat

Suggests a small, continuous flow of sweat.

Sweat beading

Describes the formation of sweat into small, round drops.

Sweat trickling

Highlights the soundless flow of sweat

Sweat droplet

A more scientific or detached way to describe sweat.

Sweat rolling down

Focuses on the movement of sweat.

A sheen of perspiration

Refers to a thin layer of sweat, rather than a discrete drop.

A glistening of sweat

Emphasizes the reflective quality of sweat.

A pearl of sweat

Emphasizes the preciousness of sweat

FAQs

How can I use "a drip of sweat" in a sentence?

You can use "a drip of sweat" to describe physical exertion, heat, or nervousness. For example, "A drip of sweat rolled down his forehead as he lifted the heavy box."

What can I say instead of "a drip of sweat"?

You can use alternatives like "a drop of sweat", "a bead of sweat", or "a trickle of sweat" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a drop of sweat" instead of "a drip of sweat"?

Yes, "a drop of sweat" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the act of dripping or simply the presence of a small amount of sweat.

What is the difference between "a drip of sweat" and "sweating profusely"?

"A drip of sweat" describes a small, specific instance of sweat, while "sweating profusely" describes a general state of heavy perspiration.