break a sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

"break a sweat" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of working hard or putting in a lot of effort. For example, "I'm willing to break a sweat to get the job done on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Other women don't break a sweat.

The New York Times

And barely break a sweat.

The Guardian - Sport

Someday he might even break a sweat.

The Guardian - Music

Uehara doesn't even break a sweat.

The Guardian - Sport

And you don't need to break a sweat.

Harvard University

Meanwhile Mr. Ashkenazi didn't seem to break a sweat.

The New York Times

So don't break A SWEAT solving this puzzle.

The New York Times

This alone is enough to break a sweat.

The New York Times

"He would not even break a sweat doing it".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But I don't break a sweat--my faith on trial.

Huffington Post

If You Have 20 Minutes...Break A Sweat With This HIIT Workout.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break a sweat" to indicate that someone is working hard or exerting themselves physically. It can also be used figuratively to describe a challenging task or situation that requires significant effort. For instance, "Learning a new language will make you "break a sweat"."

Common error

Avoid using "break a sweat" literally when the context is clearly figurative. For example, saying "The software update made me "break a sweat" because I was sitting in an air-conditioned room" is confusing. Ensure the figurative use aligns with the effort or stress implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break a sweat" primarily functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It typically describes the action of exerting physical or mental effort to the point of perspiring or feeling stressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

30%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "break a sweat" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe exerting oneself physically or mentally. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English, typically used to emphasize effort or challenge. Its usage is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia, indicating a neutral register. If you aim to convey significant exertion in your writing, "break a sweat" is a reliable and widely understood choice. For alternatives, consider "work up a sweat" or "exert oneself".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work up a sweat

Similar in meaning, this phrase emphasizes the process of becoming sweaty through exertion.

exert oneself

This alternative focuses on the act of applying oneself with effort.

sweat it out

This alternative emphasizes enduring a difficult situation with effort and perseverance.

strain oneself

This alternative emphasizes the potential for injury or overexertion.

toil and labor

This phrase suggests a prolonged and arduous effort.

go the extra mile

This idiom indicates exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than required.

put in effort

This is a more general phrase that indicates making an attempt or trying hard.

make an effort

Similar to "put in effort", this phrase indicates a conscious attempt to achieve something.

perspire

A more formal synonym for sweating, highlighting the physiological aspect.

get one's hands dirty

This idiom suggests involvement in practical or manual work.

FAQs

How can I use "break a sweat" in a sentence?

You can use "break a sweat" to describe physical exertion, as in "I "break a sweat" every time I go for a run". It can also be used to describe mental effort, like, "I had to "break a sweat" to finish that project on time".

What does it mean to "break a sweat"?

To "break a sweat" means to exert oneself physically or mentally to the point of sweating. It often implies putting in considerable effort or facing a challenging task.

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

You can use alternatives like "exert oneself", "work up a sweat", or "put in effort", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "break a sweat"?

Yes, "break a sweat" is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression. It's commonly used in both spoken and written English to convey the idea of exerting oneself or facing a challenge.