break out in a cold sweat英语习语，意思是突然感到惊恐或紧张，通常伴随着出汗、心跳加快等身体反应。这个短语通常用于形容因紧张、恐惧、焦虑等而导致的突然身体反应。

　　例

　　Vanessa: Karen said he asked her last month. She saidhe was so nervous that he broke out in a cold sweat.凡妮莎: 卡伦说西蒙上个月问她的。她说西蒙紧张得突然冒冷汗。

　　Paul: Simon was always a little timid保罗: 西蒙总是有点胆小。

　　——一摘自新英汉《60堂英语情景口语必修课》