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sweat it out

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To stay with something hard or scary and wait until it is over, even when it feels very uncomfortable.

Literal meaning: To work so hard or be so hot that you sweat, pushing something out through perspiration.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To endure an anxious or stressful situation by waiting through the uncertainty with patience and discomfort.

"We just have to sweat it out until the exam results are posted."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 informal

To exercise intensely or go through a physical ordeal (such as a fever or a tough workout) until it is finished.

"She decided to sweat it out at the gym rather than sit at home worrying."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 informal

To eliminate something from the body (like a cold or toxins) through sweating.

"He wrapped himself in blankets and tried to sweat it out overnight."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The phrase has two common uses: physical (working through something by sweating, e.g., an illness or exercise session) and figurative (enduring a tense situation). Both are common in informal speech.

Commonly used with

illness fever results deadline anxiety workout

Forms

Base
sweat it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sweats it out
he/she/it
Past simple
sweated it out
yesterday
Past participle
sweated it out
have + pp
-ing form
sweating it out
continuous

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Synonyms

tough it out ride it out wait it out stick it out endure grin and bear it

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