💦 Sweating Blood and Other Steamy Situations 😰
sweat blood, to
Definition: To exert oneself to the utmost; also, to experience extreme worry or fright.
Who knew the human body came with a hyperbole meter that registers ‘sweating blood’? This idiom might conjure some rather dramatic mental images, reminiscent of those moments when we’ve toiled away for hours or felt paralyzed by fear. Two faces of the same coin, it seems!
Interestingly, this rather gory metaphor dates back to the late 1800s; earlier, in the 1600s, it meant spending money, which ironically also makes some people sweat bullets! John Dryden, the notable poet, was a fan of this usage, which eventually went out of circulation.
More recently, G. S. Porter illustrated a fervent attempt to appease another with “sweating blood,” while D. H. Lawrence documented sky-high anxiety in The Memoirs of the Foreign Legion.
Synonyms:
- To sweat one’s guts out: A picturesque image of straining oneself, made famous by George Orwell.
- To sweat bullets: Visualize drops of sweat the size of bullets—yes, it’s that intense.
Antonyms:
- Taking it easy
- Keeping one’s cool
Witty Quotes:
- “Sweating blood: because who doesn’t look good in a red tuxedo of effort and anxiety?” - Anonymous
- “If you’re not sweating bullets, how will you dodge life’s cannonballs?” - Imaginaria McWhimsy
Proverbs:
- “Every sweat leaves its mark.” – Invented here, just so it fits.
Recommended Reads:
- The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell. Love hard work? Relish Orwell’s vivid explorations.
- Memoirs of the Foreign Legion by D. H. Lawrence. For the brave-at-heart, a dive into anxiety-laden adventures.
Remember, next time you’re working or worrying like crazy, just breathe and do your best—less like sweating blood, more like glowing glory! ✨
Inspirational Thought: “Extreme effort reveals hidden depths of strength; extreme worry reveals the depth of concern. Both, however, should push us towards growth, not despair.” Share a chuckle in your sweating and make prose in your perspiration! Until next time, be inspired and perspired, dear reader.
— Penelope Phrasesmith, 2023
