work up a sweat
Meaning
Exercise or work hard enough to begin sweating.
Tone & use
Usually describes physical activity or strenuous work.
Example
“We worked up a sweat carrying the boxes upstairs.”
NeutralInformal
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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Sweat Expressions: Effort, Worry, and Reassurance
Talk about effort, nervousness, and reassurance with everyday expressions about sweat.
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Words and Their Stories · 6:45
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
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“Work up a sweat” means exercise or work hard enough to sweat; “barely break a sweat” means do something without much effort. A “cold sweat” can signal fear or anxiety. “No sweat” and “don’t sweat it” reassure someone that something is easy or not a problem, while “don’t sweat the small stuff” advises not to worry about minor things.
Cultural note: “No sweat” and “don’t sweat it” are informal and friendly, but use them when the other person is comfortable with a casual tone. “Don’t sweat the small stuff” can minimize a concern if the problem matters deeply to someone.
Keep exploringThe same word can describe physical effort, nervousness, or a relaxed response. Listen for context and tone.
Phrase guide · 6 expressions
Explore the expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Physical effort
Describe hard work—or something that took very little effort.
barely break a sweat
Meaning
Do something with very little effort or difficulty.
Tone & use
Can be literal, but often emphasizes how easy a task felt.
Example
“She finished the short hike without breaking a sweat.”
PositiveInformal
Nerves and uncertainty
Recognize expressions for fear, anxiety, and visible stress.
break out in a cold sweat
Meaning
Suddenly become sweaty from fear, nervousness, or worry.
Tone & use
Often describes a strong reaction to an intimidating or frightening situation.
Example
“I broke out in a cold sweat when I realized I had left my passport at home.”
NegativeNeutral / idiomatic
A small problem—or no problem
Respond casually when something is easy or not worth worrying about.
no sweat
Meaning
It was easy, or helping is not a problem.
Tone & use
Informal. It is a relaxed response to thanks or a small request.
Example
““Thanks for carrying that.” “No sweat.””
PositiveInformal
don't sweat it
Meaning
Do not worry about it; it is not a serious problem.
Tone & use
Informal reassurance. It can sound dismissive if the other person is genuinely upset.
Example
““Sorry I’m five minutes late.” “Don’t sweat it—we just got here.””
PositiveInformal
don't sweat the small stuff
Meaning
Do not become upset about minor problems.
Tone & use
A familiar piece of advice, but check that the problem really feels small to the person hearing it.
Example
“The presentation went well; try not to sweat the small stuff in the feedback.”
PositiveInformal / advisory
Knowledge check
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Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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