Tīngdào tā de màoxiǎn jìhuà, wǒ bùjīn niē le yībǎ hàn.
Hearing his risky plan, I couldn't help breaking into a nervous sweat.
Tips
history
Attested in 红楼梦 chapter 62: a character anxious about being found out 'each day clenched a fistful of sweat' (每日捏一把汗) waiting for news.
memory
Literally 'to pinch a handful of sweat' - you're gripping so hard with tension your palms go clammy. Often preceded by 替 ('for someone') or 为 ('because of').
