break out in
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to suddenly have marks, spots, or sweat appear on your skin.
phrasal verb. to be suddenly affected by a skin condition, rash, or perspiration; typically used with a non-agentive subject.
I break out in a rash if I eat strawberries.
The nervous speaker began to break out in a cold sweat just before the presentation started.
Medical professionals observed that patients would frequently break out in hives shortly after the administration of the experimental drug.
usually followed by a noun describing a skin condition or sweat.
contrast with 'break out' (to escape or to start suddenly, like a war); this three-part version is specifically for bodily or skin reactions.
He broke out in to a sweat.He broke out in a sweat.the preposition is 'in', not 'into', when describing the appearance of a skin condition or sweat.
Last updated April 24, 2026