shed sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shed sweat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of sweating, often in the context of physical exertion or hard work. Example: "After running the marathon, I really shed sweat and felt accomplished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Proud Ulstermen, loyal to the British crown, have for decades been happy to pull on the green jersey of Ireland and shed sweat, and sometimes blood, for the Irish (sporting) cause.No one seems quite able to explain why.

The Economist

When that failed, the people were encouraged to forget the present and look to eternity: "Living today for tomorrow," the message went, and "The more our generations undergo sufferings and shed sweat, the happier our future generations will be".

The New Yorker

There are also Kalahari-scheme gauges, front and rear fog lamps, and unique technical seating materials said to shed sweat and mud better.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sabathia was not about to complain about shedding sweat along the way Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

"When necessary, we shed blood, sweat and tears so that our children no longer have to shed tears".

The New York Times

"We have shed tears, sweat, blood along the way but there's always those who put their own interests above the common fight," said the president of the ERT workers' union, Panagiotis Kalfagiannis.

Independent

By the time she reached the border of Oregon and Washington, more than 1,000 miles later, she was a new woman, having shed blood, sweat, tears and toenails along the way.

The Guardian - Travel

I'll admit that I thought some of the comments must have come from people who have never stepped foot in the arena and tried to start a company — people who never shed blood, sweat and tears trying to build something.

The New York Times

The fact that all of those athletes, who have shed blood sweat and tears to achieve their goals, will become the superstars in the biggest show on earth – if that's not something to get excited about I don't know what is".

The Guardian - Sport

I had to step away from the startup for which I shed blood, sweat and tears.

TechCrunch

The author thanks Dr. Olli Virmajoki for his efforts on the earlier drafts: let's shed more sweat and tears in future!

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shed sweat" when you want to emphasize both the physical exertion and the resulting perspiration. It is more evocative than simply saying someone "sweated".

Common error

Avoid overusing "shed sweat" in contexts where a simple description of sweating would suffice. It's most effective when highlighting strenuous effort or dedication, particularly in relation to the broader idiom "shed blood, sweat and tears."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shed sweat" functions as a verb phrase. It depicts the action of expelling sweat, often associated with physical exertion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shed sweat" is a grammatically sound phrase signifying the act of sweating due to physical effort. As Ludwig confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it's a useful and evocative way to describe exertion. To enhance your writing, remember to use "shed sweat" when you want to underscore both the effort and the perspiration, and be mindful of the idiomatic connection to "shed blood, sweat and tears". Consider alternatives like "break a sweat" or "work up a sweat" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shed blood, sweat, and tears

An idiomatic expression that highlights dedication, sacrifice and hard work to achieve a goal. This alternative expression includes the other two components.

work up a sweat

Emphasizes the process of reaching a state where one is sweating due to activity.

break a sweat

Emphasizes initiating the act of sweating, implying the start of exertion.

perspire

Focuses on the physiological action of sweating, omitting the notion of physical effort.

sweat profusely

Highlights the intensity of sweating, without necessarily indicating effort.

exude perspiration

A more formal way of describing sweating.

give it your all

Focuses on effort and dedication, removing literal sweating.

exert oneself

Highlights the expenditure of effort, not necessarily resulting in sweat.

toil

Focuses on arduous work, possibly implying sweating but not directly stating it.

put in hard work

Focuses on the dedication of time and energy in the work, omitting the sweating aspect

FAQs

What does "shed sweat" mean?

The phrase "shed sweat" literally means to excrete sweat. It's often used metaphorically to describe hard work or strenuous effort.

How is "shed sweat" different from "break a sweat"?

"Shed sweat" often implies a sustained effort and significant perspiration, while "break a sweat" suggests the beginning of exertion and sweating.

Is "shed sweat" part of a larger idiom?

Yes, "shed sweat" is part of the well-known idiom "shed blood, sweat, and tears", which signifies ultimate dedication and sacrifice.

What are some alternatives to saying "shed sweat"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "perspire", "sweat profusely", or "work up a sweat".