冷や汗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 冷や汗 (ひやあせ) combines cold 冷や and sweat 汗 for perspiration caused by alarm or anxiety.
• Basic usage: It describes the reaction to thinking something important is lost or being suddenly put on the spot.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Anxiety sweat rather than heat
  • 冷や汗をかく usually points to fear, embarrassment, or tension, not ordinary perspiration from hot weather.