sweat the small stuff

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.

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sweat the small stuff (third-person singular simple present sweats the small stuff, present participle sweating the small stuff, simple past and past participle sweated the small stuff or sweat the small stuff)

1. (informal, idiomatic) To worry about petty issues or insignificant matters.
   • 2017 April 20, Tim Urban, “Neuralink and the Brain’s Magical Future”, in Wait But Why‎^[1], retrieved 21 April 2017:

     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.

• don't sweat the small stuff