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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

sweat the small stuff en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

From the idea that small stuff, or small-diameter cordage used in sailing, should not be tightened by sweating, i. e. pulling the rope perpendicular to its length, as one does to pull large-diameter rope tight.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, informal) To worry about petty issues or insignificant matters.
    • The prefrontal cortex is the other character in those internal battles that go on in your life. [...] The higher being who wishes you’d stop sweating the small stuff. 2017 April 20, Tim Urban, “Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future”, in Wait But Why, retrieved 21 Apr 2017:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
sweating the small stuff Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sweated the small stuff Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sweated the small stuff Tense=Past lexicographic
sweats the small stuff Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
sweat the small stuff Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sweat the small stuff Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

don't sweat the small stuff

Translations (3)

es ahogarse en un vaso de agua (to worry about petty issues or insignificant matters) · hu apróságok miatt aggódik/aggodalmaskodik (to worry about petty issues or insignificant matters) · hu túlaggódja magát (to worry about petty issues or insignificant matters)