Used when you’re stressed, relieved after tension, or embarrassed about a small mistake. It’s like saying “phew…” or “ugh, that was close.”
You almost missed your train but managed to hop on just before the doors closed.
Made it… barely 😓
😓
- Groups
- Subgroups
- Unicode
- U+1F613
- Variant status
- Fully-qualified
- Emoji version
- E0.6
downcast face with sweat
Definitions & examples
Can show mild embarrassment after a mistake or when something awkward happens—like tripping in public but laughing it off.
In Japanese chats, 😓 often appears as “焦った〜！” (“That was close!”) or “やばっ！” to express near-miss moments or social awkwardness. It’s half relief, half stress.
Don’t mix up 😓 with 😰—😓 is for minor stress or awkwardness, while 😰 shows heavier anxiety or fear.
Compare picks
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
Differences between 😓 (downcast face with sweat) and 😰 (anxious face with sweat)
More on anxious face with sweat
Both 😓 downcast face with sweat and 😰 anxious face with sweat convey negative feelings tied to stress and sweating, sharing a visual of unease and physiological tension; however, 😓 often reads as relieved, embarrassed, or weary after a close call or minor mishap, while 😰 carries a sharper sense of immediate fear, escalation, and dread, signaling that a situation feels threatening or likely to get worse. Use 😓 for moments of “phew” relief, mild embarrassment, or tired resignation after pressure lifts; use 😰 to express acute anxiety, genuine panic, or ongoing pressure where outcomes feel uncertain and alarming. The tone of 😓 is softer and wry, suited to self-deprecating or post-crisis reactions, whereas 😰 is urgent and alarmed, fitting urgent warnings, tense updates, or genuine fear-driven responses.
Usage
You might choose 😓 when you’re describing relief after a close call or admitting a small awkward mistake with a light, apologetic tone. Choose 😰 when you’re conveying real-time panic, serious stress, or a situation that feels like it could worsen and you need to communicate alarm.
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