a drop of sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drop of sweat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a single drop of sweat that is visible on someone's skin, or a small amount that has been produced. Example sentence: His forehead was lined with a drop of sweat, indicating the intense stress that he felt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A stray hair or a drop of sweat can ruin a lithium-ion cell.

The New York Times - Magazine

Until the No. 6 seed and French Open champion Li Na of China was ousted by Simona Halep of Romania, 6-2, 7-5, early in the evening, there was hardly a drop of sweat shed in anxiety.

The New York Times - Sports

Undoubtedly the biggest issue of this Wimbledon is not whether Roger Federer can make it four men's titles in a row - but how he manages to beat everybody hollow without appearing to produce a drop of sweat.

The Guardian - Sport

"Ciclos" is packaged with a concert DVD on which it's clear this singer's velvet calm carries over to the stage; even at the last song there's not a drop of sweat on him.

The New York Times - Arts

LONDON — Before the opening ceremony, before a drop of sweat was shed by any of the nearly 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from 206 nations, an African runner walked into a police station here and asked for political asylum, according to news reports confirmed Thursday by a government official.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, I'll bet that no executive would ever shed a drop of sweat arriving to a big meeting.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Our universal quest, as Barsotti reminds us here, is an arduous tragi-comic journey, illustrated by this lovable, ancient philosopher with childlike proportions, little feet, floppy sandals, and a single drop of sweat.

The New Yorker

"The State of Israel bombed nuclear reactors, reached Entebbe, wasted billions on light and heavy rail systems that don't move and paid hundreds of millions of shekels for years to people who did not contribute a single drop of sweat to the state.

The New York Times

It was, at the very least, one of the hardest working shows likely to be witnessed on a stage this year, and with barely a drop of minutely-choreographed sweat to be seen.

Independent

Before they dribbled a basketball or dropped a bead of sweat -- perhaps they did under the concertlike lights -- James and Bosh were awarded keys to the city.

The New York Times

Another superhero of the evening was the ultra nice Gary Oldman (who plays a bad guy in The Professional with Natalie Portman), who managed to rock a suit and tie while not dropping a bead of sweat in the 100 degree heat (must be years of English discipline).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drop of sweat" to vividly depict physical exertion, stress, or intense concentration in your writing. It is useful for adding a sensory detail to a scene.

Common error

Avoid using "a drop of sweat" excessively in highly formal or professional documents. Consider more neutral descriptions like "slight perspiration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drop of sweat" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to describe a small amount of perspiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It often acts as a subject or object within a clause, adding descriptive detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drop of sweat" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to vividly depict physical or emotional stress. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English and provides clear examples of its application. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki articles. When writing, it’s important to consider your audience and the register of your document, as while acceptable, its directness may need to be modulated in certain business or formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bead of perspiration

Replaces "sweat" with "perspiration", a more formal synonym.

a trickle of sweat

Substitutes "drop" with "trickle", implying a slightly larger amount.

a single drop of perspiration

Adds "single" for emphasis and replaces "sweat" with "perspiration".

a glistening bead of sweat

Adds "glistening" to describe the appearance of the sweat.

a dab of sweat

Uses "dab" instead of "drop", suggesting a small, soft touch of sweat.

a film of sweat

Replaces "drop" with "film", indicating a thin layer rather than a discrete droplet.

perspiration dotting the brow

Describes the sweat as "dotting the brow", changing the sentence structure.

a sheen of perspiration

Uses "sheen" to indicate a glossy surface caused by sweat.

tiny droplets of sweat

Adds "tiny" and changes "drop" to plural "droplets".

a sign of exertion

Shifts the focus to the cause of the sweat, general physical effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a drop of sweat" to describe physical exertion or emotional stress, as in "A drop of sweat trickled down his forehead as he finished the marathon".

What phrases are similar to "a drop of sweat"?

Alternatives include "a bead of perspiration", "a trickle of sweat", or describing the cause with "a sign of exertion".

Is it always appropriate to use "a drop of sweat" in writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a drop of sweat" may not suit all writing contexts. More formal situations could benefit from phrases like "slight perspiration" or simply describing the underlying cause.

What does "a drop of sweat" typically symbolize in literature?

In literature, "a drop of sweat" can represent hard work, physical strain, anxiety, or the culmination of intense effort. The symbolism depends on the specific context.