break a sweat
idiom
US
: to begin to sweat
He started running and soon broke a sweat.
He loaded all five boxes without breaking a sweat.
—often used figuratively to say that something is not hard for someone to doHe gave a perfect performance and didn't break a sweat.
Examples of break a sweat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s also a gym on the upper level for those who wish to break a sweat.
—
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2024
In the end, Bob Iger didn’t have to break a sweat to fend off Nelson Peltz.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Droll in that articulate British way that never seems to break a sweat, Ullett is an expert raconteur — crisp yet colloquial.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, most incumbents at all levels won’t have to break a sweat Tuesday, and some don’t even have an opponent.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Most healthcare professionals suggest 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (enough to break a sweat) five days a week.2
Get Tested
A simple blood test is used to diagnose prediabetes.
—Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024
Mac Royals, the R&B singer from Wrightsville, Ark., didn’t seem to break a sweat, even in the last spot of the performance rotation.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2023
But Golden Boy doesn't break a sweat… pummeling his opponent to the dirt and ripping the arms off his body.
—Alex Raiman, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023
What was the easiest way to break a sweat without overstressing your already-beleaguered mind and body?
—Ashley Mateo, SELF, 31 Oct. 2023
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2024
In the end, Bob Iger didn’t have to break a sweat to fend off Nelson Peltz.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Droll in that articulate British way that never seems to break a sweat, Ullett is an expert raconteur — crisp yet colloquial.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, most incumbents at all levels won’t have to break a sweat Tuesday, and some don’t even have an opponent.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Most healthcare professionals suggest 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (enough to break a sweat) five days a week.2
Get Tested
A simple blood test is used to diagnose prediabetes.
—Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 16 Feb. 2024
Mac Royals, the R&B singer from Wrightsville, Ark., didn’t seem to break a sweat, even in the last spot of the performance rotation.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 28 Nov. 2023
But Golden Boy doesn't break a sweat… pummeling his opponent to the dirt and ripping the arms off his body.
—Alex Raiman, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023
What was the easiest way to break a sweat without overstressing your already-beleaguered mind and body?
—Ashley Mateo, SELF, 31 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break a sweat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near break a sweat
Cite this Entry
“Break a sweat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20a%20sweat. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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