Don't Sweat It and Other Sweaty Expressions

 

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

Sweat. Those tiny drops of perspiration² that make up part of our bodies cooling system.

We sweat when we do hard physical work. We sweat when we exercise. In these situations we can say we "work up a sweat." For example, running is a great way to work up a sweat.

We also sweat when it is hot outside. But we wouldn't say we worked up a sweat. We didn't do any work. We just got sweaty by being hot.

We often use another verb when talking about sweating: break. For example, when I helped my friend move to her new apartment, I barely³ broke a sweat. That is because she doesn't own very much. I just needed to help her move some books, kitchen items, a box of clothes, and a cat.

Now, there are other situations when people may sweat. When we are very scared, nervous, worried, or simply uncertain about something, we could sweat. If any of these feelings go to an extreme, we might say we "broke out in a cold sweat."

For example, people who do not like to speak in front of strangers might break out in a cold sweat if they have to talk to a large crowd of people.

Sweating can also be a sign that you are unsure of your ability. That is why one popular advertisement for underarm deodorant⁴ had this famous expression: "Never let them see you sweat."

Sweating could also be seen as a sign that you lying -- or at least not telling the whole truth. If you watch crime shows, sweating is one thing police look for when they question a suspect of a crime.

Now, sometimes we use the word sweat in a strange way. Let's say you help someone do something. But it was really not a big deal for you. The person thanks you. And you can say to them, "No sweat!" This just means it was easy for you to do. But I would only use this with someone I know fairly well.

Here is another strange expression: "Don't sweat it." This is a way of saying "no problem" or "don't worry about it."

Here's a quick story. One time, my roommate and I decided⁵ to have a stoop⁶ sale. This is a fun way to get rid of stuff⁷ and make a little money. It also gives you a chance to see people in the neighborhood because the stoop is the front area of a building -- the part with the steps.

In the morning, we worked up a sweat carrying all the items down. But once things were set up, we could relax and talk to people who stopped by. It was really fun to get rid of things we no longer wanted. And by the end of the day we had earned nearly $100 to spend on a little party for everyone.

It was a really hot day and during the sale, I sweated up a storm. So, I took off my favorite jacket and set it aside. By the end of the morning, I couldn't find it. My roommate asked me, "Was it the black jacket with lightning on it?" "Yes," I answered. She quietly said, "I think I sold it." I could tell that she felt badly. So, to make her feel better I said, "Don't sweat it! It's not a big deal. Come on, let's order pizza and drinks!"

Inside, though, I must admit ... I was a little upset. It was my favorite jacket. But those feelings did not last long. There are too many serious problems in life. So, it is important to not get upset about small things. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.

Here is my last note is on usage⁸.

While "sweat" and "perspiration" are physically⁹ the same thing, the two words are often not used the same way. We do not say "perspiration" in the same informal way we say "sweat."

So, with all of the expressions we heard today, we only use the word "sweat." We would not say we "worked up perspiration" or "broke perspiration." And we definitely¹⁰ would not say, Don't perspire¹¹ the small stuff.

Words in This Story

perspiration – n. the clear liquid that forms on your skin when you are hot or nervous

stoop – n. a porch¹², platform, or stairway at the entrance of a house or building

informal – adj. suitable for ordinary or everyday use

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 perspiration   

n.汗水；出汗

参考例句：

• It is so hot that my clothes are wet with perspiration.天太热了，我的衣服被汗水湿透了。
• The perspiration was running down my back.汗从我背上淌下来。

3 barely   

adv.仅仅，几乎没有，几乎不

参考例句：

• The male bird is barely distinguishable from the female.雄鸟和雌鸟几乎无法辨别。
• He took barely enough money to keep the children in bread.他赚很少的钱仅够孩子们勉强糊口。

4 deodorant   

adj.除臭的；n.除臭剂

参考例句：

• She applies deodorant to her armpits after she showers.沐浴后，她在腋下涂上除臭剂。
• Spray deodorant and keep the silk garments dry before dressing.在穿衣之前，洒涂防臭剂并保持干燥。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 stoop   

n.佝偻，屈服；v.弯下，弯下上身，屈服

参考例句：

• It pains me to stoop down.痛得我蹲下来。
• He has to stoop to get through the tunnel.他得弯下腰走过地道。

7 stuff   

n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱

参考例句：

• We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
• He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。

8 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

9 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

10 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

11 perspire   

vi.出汗，流汗

参考例句：

• He began to perspire heavily.他开始大量出汗。
• You perspire a lot when you are eating.你在吃饭的时候流汗很多。

12 porch   

n.门廊，入口处，走廊，游廊

参考例句：

• There are thousands of pages of advertising on our porch.有成千上万页广告堆在我们的门廊上。
• The porch is supported by six immense pillars.门廊由六根大柱子支撑着。