break a sweat
idiom
US
: to begin to sweat
He started running and soon broke a sweat.
He loaded all five boxes without breaking a sweat.
—often used figuratively to say that something is not hard for someone to doHe gave a perfect performance and didn't break a sweat.
Examples of break a sweat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And for those looking to break a sweat out in the open, a scenic 5K trail begins right outside the fitness center.
—
T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The vibe of the books should be a little gritty but never fatally so, enough friction to break a sweat but nothing a bad boy mayor can’t handle.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Whether millions of new accounts open overnight or trading action surges globally, your system shouldn’t break a sweat.
—Bill Capuzzi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The front doors are in constant swing from neighborhood kids being dropped off at summer camps, seniors leaving a morning quilting class or adults looking to break a sweat at the expansive gym.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break a sweat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
T.j. Olwig, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
The vibe of the books should be a little gritty but never fatally so, enough friction to break a sweat but nothing a bad boy mayor can’t handle.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Whether millions of new accounts open overnight or trading action surges globally, your system shouldn’t break a sweat.
—Bill Capuzzi, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The front doors are in constant swing from neighborhood kids being dropped off at summer camps, seniors leaving a morning quilting class or adults looking to break a sweat at the expansive gym.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break a sweat
Cite this Entry
“Break a sweat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20a%20sweat. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share