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.
Speakers use this expression when they are placed on the spot by difficult questions or unexpected tests. It describes the physical reaction of sweating due to sudden panic or embarrassment. It appears frequently in situations involving interviews, impromptu quizzes, or sudden demands for an explanation.
This can often feel dramatic, likening a mental slip or pressure to a visible physical crisis.
This can often feel dramatic, likening a mental slip or pressure to a visible physical crisis.
🎙️ 진땀을 흘리다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [진따믈 흘리다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 갑작스러운 질문에 진땀을 흘렸다.
gap-jak-seu-reo-un jil-mun-e jin-tam-eul heul-lyeot-da.
I broke out in a cold sweat at the sudden question.
💡 Facing an unexpected question - 면접관의 날카로운 질문에 진땀을 흘리며 대답했다.
myeon-jeop-gwan-ui nal-ka-ro-un jil-mun-e jin-tam-eul heul-ri-myeo dae-dap-haet-da.
I answered while sweating nervously at the interviewer's sharp question.
💡 Being put on the spot during an interview - 선생님이 갑자기 이름을 부르자 진땀이 났다.
seon-saeng-nim-i gap-ja-gi i-reum-eul bu-reu-ja jin-tam-i nat-da.
I broke out in a sweat when the teacher suddenly called my name.
💡 Being called on unexpectedly in class
Related words in Social Situations
진땀을 빼다 Jintmameul ppaeda주관적 ju-gwan-jeok중독 jung-dok중독성 jung-dok-seong깔끔하다 kkal-kkeum-ha-da