flop sweat
Performer's nervous perspiration
Flop sweat is the nervous perspiration that comes from fear of failure, especially while performing.
The term originated in show business, describing the visible sweating of a comedian dying onstage or an actor forgetting lines.
It has spread to any high-stakes situation where things are going badly: You could see the flop sweat on the CEO during the earnings call.
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- worryTroubled mental state
fear · stress · tension · nervousness · unease · jitters · stagefright · butterflies
Raised performance platform
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
standup · comedy · pitch · presentation · speech · public speaking · podium · microphone
Fluid from exertion
soaked · glistening · overheating · flushed · palpitations · dry mouth · nausea · lightheadedness
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- discomfitureUneasy self-conscious distress
awkwardness · self-consciousness · blush · red-faced · flustered · gaffe · faux pas · bungle
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
worry · fear · stress · tension · nervousness · unease · jitters · stagefright · butterflies · cold feet
stage
Raised performance platform
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- auditionTrial performance for selection
monologue · standup · comedy · pitch · presentation · speech · public speaking · podium · microphone · curtain
perspiration
Fluid from exertion
dripping · soaked · glistening · overheating · flushed · palpitations · dry mouth · nausea · lightheadedness · racing heart
humiliation
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
discomfiture · awkwardness · self-consciousness · blush · red-faced · flustered · gaffe · faux pas · bungle · stumble
- sweatingperspiration, diaphoresis
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- social blundersgaffe, faux pas, misstep, blooper, flub
flop sweatstage presence
Performer's commanding aura
swagger · unflappability · poise · aplomb · composure
flop sweatcalm
Free from agitation
serenity · tranquility · cool as a cucumber · relaxation · ease
flop sweatkilling it
Succeeding spectacularly
triumph · standing ovation · crushing it · nailing it · victory lap
flop, sweat, flops, flopped, flopping, floppy, sweats, sweated, sweating