work up a sweat

work up a sweat

1. Literally, to perspire due to strenuous physical activity. Ping pong is actually great exercise. You really can work up a sweat after just a few games.2. By extension, to put forth a large amount of energy or effort into or toward a task. Often used in the negative to indicate the opposite. That test was so easy, I aced it without even working up a sweat.See also: sweat, up, work