SWEATING BULLETS Meaning and
Definition
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Sweating bullets is an idiomatic expression used to describe a state of intense nervousness, anxiety, or fear, often leading to excessive perspiration. The phrase originates from the visual image of someone visibly drenched in sweat, resembling small round bullets.
Figuratively, the term "sweating bullets" implies that the individual is experiencing extreme emotional or mental stress, feeling overwhelmed by a particular situation, or anticipating an imminent and challenging event. It conveys a sense of anguish, distress, or agitation that can manifest physically in the form of profuse perspiration. The intensity and excessive sweating associated with this expression highlight the magnitude of the person's emotional state.
The expression is most commonly used in colloquial English to capture a high level of unease, often in relation to an impending event or encounter. It is often employed when discussing situations such as public speaking, job interviews, exams, and other nerve-racking experiences. Additionally, it can also be used in non-literal contexts to describe excessive fear or apprehension about potential outcomes.
Overall, "sweating bullets" encapsulates the idea of someone being in a highly anxious and emotionally charged state, often leading to visible physical signs like profuse sweating. It has become a metaphorical phrase that effectively conveys the intense nervousness and distress that an individual may feel in pressurized or nerve-wracking situations.
Common Misspellings for SWEATING BULLETS
- aweating bullets
- zweating bullets
- xweating bullets
- dweating bullets
- eweating bullets
- wweating bullets
- sqeating bullets
- saeating bullets
- sseating bullets
- seeating bullets
- s3eating bullets
- s2eating bullets
- swwating bullets
- swsating bullets
- swdating bullets
- swrating bullets
- sw4ating bullets
- sw3ating bullets
- swezting bullets
- swesting bullets
Etymology of SWEATING BULLETS
The phrase "sweating bullets" is an idiomatic expression that means to be extremely nervous, anxious, or frightened. The etymology of this phrase can be understood by breaking it down into its two parts: "sweating" and "bullets".
"Sweating" refers to the act of perspiring or producing sweat, which is a natural bodily response to physical exertion or heat. Metaphorically, sweating can also represent anxiety or fear, as these emotions can trigger increased perspiration. In the context of "sweating bullets", the word "sweating" implies a heightened state of nervousness or anxiety.
The term "bullets" refers to small metal projectiles fired from guns. Bullets are typically associated with danger and violence, as they are a key component of firearms.
