Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
진땀을 흘리다 Jintam-eul heulida
To break out in a cold sweat when caught off-guard by a high-pressure question or a sudden, difficult task.
What does 진땀을 흘리다 mean?
진땀을 흘리다 (Jintam-eul heulida) means: To break out in a cold sweat when caught off-guard by a high-pressure question or a sudden, difficult task.
Natives reach for this when their brain suddenly goes blank under the pressure of a 'spotlight moment,' like a boss asking for an update you haven't prepared or a teacher picking you out of the crowd. It signals a mix of mental scrambling and the physical anxiety of being tested, rather than simple physical exertion. Learners often mistake it for literal sweating during a workout; in reality, it’s the linguistic equivalent of that sinking feeling when you realize you’re about to be exposed for not having an answer.
Other sides of 진땀을 흘리다
◆ Narrow Escape from Disaster — Natives don't use this just because they are busy; they reach for it when the danger has passed and they are finally exhaling. It signals a 'thank God that’s over' moment where you were genuinely seconds away from a disaster like missing a flight or accidentally sending a project to the wrong client. Learners often misuse it for 'being stressed,' but the true usage requires the element of a near-miss catastrophe.
◆ Physical Exhaustion in Heat — While most learners know this for 'nervous sweating,' natives use it physically to describe that heavy, sluggish exhaustion when you've pushed your body to the limit or are stuck in a suffocating heatwave. It signals a visceral, 'sticky' kind of discomfort that implies you are losing energy just as fast as you are losing fluids. Avoid using this for a light glow or a healthy gym sweat; it is reserved for when the body is truly struggling against an external or physical burden.
◆ Physical Exhaustion in Heat — While most learners know this for 'nervous sweating,' natives use it physically to describe that heavy, sluggish exhaustion when you've pushed your body to the limit or are stuck in a suffocating heatwave. It signals a visceral, 'sticky' kind of discomfort that implies you are losing energy just as fast as you are losing fluids. Avoid using this for a light glow or a healthy gym sweat; it is reserved for when the body is truly struggling against an external or physical burden.
🎙️ 진땀을 흘리다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [진따믈 흘리다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 갑자기 영어로 자기소개 하라고 해서 진짜 진땀을 흘렸어.
gap-ja-gi yeong-eo-ro ja-gi-so-gae ha-ra-go hae-seo jin-jjam-eul heul-lyeoss-eo.
They suddenly told me to introduce myself in English, so I really broke out in a cold sweat.
💡 Highlights the 'on-the-spot' panic of being asked to perform unexpectedly. - 면접관이 예상치 못한 질문을 던져서 진땀을 좀 흘렸네요.
myeon-jeop-gwan-i ye-sang-chi mot-han jil-mun-eul deon-jyeo-seo jin-jjam-eul jom heul-ryeot-ne-yo.
The interviewer threw me a curveball question, so I was sweating a bit.
💡 Shows how it's used to acknowledge a struggle while remaining professional. - 다들 쳐다보니까 진땀이 나더라.
da-deul chyeo-da-bo-ni-kka jin-jjam-i na-deo-ra.
Everyone was staring at me, so I started breaking out in a sweat.
💡 Captures the social pressure of being the center of attention.
Related words in Social Situations
진땀을 빼다 Jintmameul ppaeda주관적 ju-gwan-jeok중독 jung-dok중독성 jung-dok-seong깔끔하다 kkal-kkeum-ha-da