breathbreath /breθ/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 
Leo could smell the wine on her breath. Let your breath out slowly. b)[uncountable] air that you take into your lungs: When he reached the top of the stairs, his heart was pounding and he was gasping for breath. c)[countable] an amount of air that you take into your lungs: Shaun took a deep breath and dived in. ► Do not confuse the noun breath /breθ/ with the verb breathe /briːð/: She took a deep breath and continued. | I can’t breathe in here!2a breath of fresh air a)something that is new and different in a way you think is exciting and good: Osborne’s play brought a breath of fresh air to the British theatre. b)clean air outside, that you feel you need after being inside for a long time: I’m going outside for a breath of fresh air.3don’t hold your breath informal used to say that something is not going to happen soon: The system’s due for an update, but don’t hold your breath.4catch your breath (also get your breath back) to start breathing normally again after running or making a lot of effort: Slow down, I need to catch my breath.5don’t waste your breath (also save your breath) spoken used to say that someone will not be able to persuade someone else, so there is no point in trying: Save your breath. She’s already made up her mind. Will he listen to me or will I just be wasting my breath?6take somebody’s breath away to be extremely beautiful or exciting: The view from the top will take your breath away.7under your breath in a quiet voice so that no one can hear you: ‘Son of a bitch,’ he muttered under his breath.8in the same breath a) (also in the next breath) used to say that someone has said two things at once that are so different from each other they cannot both be true: He criticized the film, then predicted in the same breath that it would be a great success. b)if you mention two people or things in the same breath, you show that you think they are alike or are related: I became nervous when the doctor mentioned my mother’s name and ‘cancer’ in the same breath.breath as/with a young poet mentioned in the same breath as T.S. Eliot9with your last/dying breath at the moment when you are dying: With his last breath, he cursed his captors.10[singular] written a very small amount or a sign of somethingbreath of They did everything they could to avoid the slightest breath of scandal.11a breath of air/wind literary a slight movement of air: Scarcely a breath of air disturbed the stillness of the day. → with bated breath at batedCOLLOCATIONSverbstake a breath (=breathe in)· Alex took a deep breath, then jumped into the pool.let your breath out (=breathe out)· Let your breath out slowly and relax.hold your breath (=not breathe out for a few seconds or minutes)· How long can you hold your breath underwater?be out of breath (=have difficulty breathing after running, hurrying etc)· Andrew hurried in, slightly out of breath.be short of breath (=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.gasp/fight for breath (=have difficulty breathing)· He was lying on the floor gasping for breath.get your breath back (also catch your breath) (=start breathing normally again)· He leant against a tree until he had got his breath back.pause for breath· She talked solidly for five minutes, hardly pausing for breath.draw breath written (=breathe)· I hid behind the door, hardly daring to draw breath.adjectivesbad breath (=that smells unpleasant)· Smoking gives you bad breath.a deep/long breath (=in which you breathe a lot of air in slowly)· She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.a shallow breath (=in which you breathe a small amount of air in)· Shallow breaths are often a sign of nervousness.phrasesshortness of breath (=when you are unable to breathe easily)· Symptoms include dizziness and shortness of breath.an intake of breath (=when you breathe in very quickly and suddenly, especially because you are surprised)· He gave a sharp intake of breath.· His first response was a sharp intake of breath.
WORD ORIGINbreath
Origin:
Old English bræthEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- His teeth were rotten and he had bad breath.
- How long can you hold your breath underwater?
- I can smell alcohol on your breath.
- I could feel the horse's breath on the back of my neck.
- It was so cold they could see their breath.
- A slight popping, as if she had been holding her breath.
- Her breath caught as a strange little frisson of excitement slid from her throat to her toes at the thought.
- Seconds later, the breath once again hissed into her chest, this time with painful intensity.
- She tensed; very softy he blew into her ear, until she quivered as his warm breath passed through her.
- She took a few deep breaths and told herself that she could handle him.
- The boy laughed at them for running and being out of breath for nothing.
- To get rid of garlic breath try strong coffee, cloves, honey, yogurt, or parsley.
- Two minutes and twenty seconds for Shirley, fourteen minutes for Marylin, and for Virginia, a few breaths.
Longman Language Activatorthe action of breathing
the process of breathing air in and out: · The disease in his lungs made breathing very painful.· Breathing became more difficult as we got higher up the mountain.deep breathing (=breathing a lot of air into your lungs): · Deep breathing is good for relaxing your mind and your body.heavy breathing (=loud breathing): · When I picked up the phone all I heard was heavy breathing.
the air that you breathe in or out: · It was so cold they could see their breath.· I could feel the horse's breath on the back of my neck.hold your breath (=stop yourself from breathing for a short time): · How long can you hold your breath underwater?bad breath (=breath that smells unpleasant): · His teeth were rotten and he had bad breath.
to breathe with difficulty unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy: · When I wake up in the morning I'm often very short of breath.· She got short of breath very easily because she was so overweight.· The fog irritated his lungs and made him short of breath.
having difficulty breathing, especially because you have just been running, climbing stairs etc: · She sounded a little breathless, as if she had been running.· We were all a little out of breath when we got on the train.· Can we have a rest? -- I'm a bit out of breath.
to breathe very quickly and deeply because you are having difficulty breathing normally, for example after running fast or because you have been injured: · The hill was very steep and they were all gasping by the time they got to the top.· "Do you think you can walk?" I asked. "I'll try," he gasped.gasp for breath (=because you can hardly breathe): · His mother was coughing and gasping for breath.
to breathe loudly and with difficulty, because you are doing something which needs a lot of physical effort: · You could see her puffing as she carried the heavy washing basket.· "Sorry I'm so late Maxie,'' he said, puffing breathlessly.
to breathe quickly and noisily with your mouth open, for example, because you have just been running: · Matt was still panting after his run.· When I reached the top of the stairs I was puffing and panting like an old steam engine.· A strange brown dog suddenly jumped all over him, panting, its tongue out.
also be bunged up British spoken to have difficulty breathing through your nose because you have a cold : · She doesn't want to go to school. She says her throat is sore and she's stuffed up.be all bunged up: · I couldn't sleep last night because I was all bunged up.
to breathe with a whistling noise in your throat and chest because you are ill or unhealthy: · When she coughed she made a terrible wheezing sound.· His asthma was acting up and he wheezed throughout the show.
to breathe normally again after running, playing sport etc · It took me a few minutes to get my breath back after climbing the stairs.· Once you've got your breath back we can do a few more lengths of the pool.
to take air, smoke etc into your lungs to take air, smoke etc into your lungs, through your nose or mouth : · Every time I breathe in I get a pain in the left side of my chest.breathe in something: · I put my handkerchief over my nose to avoid breathing in the smoke.· They stood on the cliff breathing in the fresh sea air.
to breathe in once: · Sherman stopped, took a breath, and opened the door.· It was so quiet that I was afraid to take a breath.take a breath of: · Every time you took a breath of that foul air you could feel it burning your lungs.take a deep breath (=take a lot of air into your lungs): · Taking a deep breath she dived into the cool water.
to take air, smoke, or gas into your lungs, through your nose or mouth - used especially in technical and medical contexts: · It is dangerous to inhale the fumes produced by these chemicals.· Every time he inhaled, his lungs made an awful wheezing sound.inhale deeply (=inhale a lot of air or smoke): · Stella lit up a cigarette and inhaled deeply.
to say something quietly or unclearly to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: · "Don't wake the baby,'' whispered Jemima.· You don't have to whisper - there's no one around.whisper something in somebody's ear: · Fran leant over and whispered something in her sister's ear.
to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone to hear you complaining: · "Why do I have to do all the work?'' she muttered.· Grant went out, muttering something about having to see a client.mutter to yourself: · He was always muttering to himself about all the experiments he had to do that week.
to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly, so that it is difficult to understand: · He mumbled something I didn't hear.mumble that: · All I could do was mumble that I regretted I hadn't taken my degree.mumble a reply/an apology/your thanks etc: · Kaye could only mumble an apology.
to say something in a soft low voice, that is difficult to hear clearly: · He began stroking her hair and gently murmuring her name.· The child murmured something in its sleep.· She heard the priest murmuring a prayer at the front of the church.
to say something extremely quietly, especially a criticism or something rude, so that no one will hear what you are saying: · "Stupid idiot,'' he said under his breath as the old man walked away.
to say a few words in a low rough voice, especially when you are not really interested in what someone is saying to you: · "What about a stripy wallpaper for this room?'' "I dunno,'' he grunted.· She grunted something I didn't catch.
when it is useless to try to persuade someone also might as well talk to a brick wall British spoken use this to say that it is useless to try to persuade someone or argue with them, because they will not listen to what you are saying: · I wouldn't bother arguing with Francis -- it's like talking to a brick wall.· I told you I don't want to go out again tonight -- honestly, I might just as well talk to a brick wall!
spoken use this to tell someone that there is no point in trying to argue with someone or persuade them about something because they will not change their opinion: · It's no good trying to make Kit change her mind -- you'd just be wasting your breath.· He's wasting his breath. There's no way they're going to lend him the money.
spoken if you talk, argue etc with someone till you're blue in the face , you talk or argue with them for a very long time when it is pointless to do this because they will not listen or understand: · You can argue till you're blue in the face, but it won't do you any good.· Politicians can claim until they are blue in the face that students have never had it so good, but the fact is, they cannot justify those claims.
when someone is waiting for something to happen able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or bored: · I'm sure she'll write soon. Just try to be patient.· Halle was patient, waiting for the boy to finish his explanation.
becoming annoyed because you have been waiting for a long time: · Don't be so impatient. I'm working as fast as I can.· By this time there was a queue of impatient customers waiting to be served.impatient for: · The new minister was almost immediately the object of attack by politicians and press impatient for results.get/become/grow impatient (with): · I could see that Max was getting impatient with me.
to wait happily or excitedly for something that is going to happen: · I'm really looking forward to this trip to Japan.· We used to look forward to the weekends because that was when we could spend some time together.look forward to to doing something: · I look forward to meeting you next month.
if you say you can't wait , you mean you feel excited and impatient because something good is going to happen and you want it to happen as soon as possible: · We're flying to Austria on Friday. I can't wait!can't wait for: · I can't wait for Christmas!· School is so boring. I can't wait for the holidays to come.can't wait to do something: · I can't wait to see their new house.· She couldn't wait to quit her job and get married.
to wait anxiously to see what is going to happen, especially when there is a possibility that something bad may happen: · Rachel held her breath as she waited for his answer.· The art world will be holding its breath to see how much these paintings sell for at auction.
waiting hopefully and excitedly for something to happen: · Bright expectant faces were turned upward toward the stage.· Expectant crowds waited outside the theatre.· The darkened assembly room became suddenly hushed and expectant as the picture appeared on the screen.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs He waited for a reply to his offer with bated breath. This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due. She stopped and took a deep breath. She was breathing freely. Brendan climbed slowly, gasping for breath. ‘He’s such an unpleasant man,’ Alyssia muttered under her breath. He was panting for breath. He caught up with Gary, puffing for breath. He lay there unconscious, breathing shallowly.
(=breathe in)· Alex took a deep breath, then jumped into the pool.
(=breathe out)· Let your breath out slowly and relax.
(=not breathe out for a few seconds or minutes)· How long can you hold your breath underwater?
(=have difficulty breathing after running, hurrying etc)· Andrew hurried in, slightly out of breath.
(=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.
(=have difficulty breathing)· He was lying on the floor gasping for breath.
(also catch your breath) (=start breathing normally again)· He leant against a tree until he had got his breath back.
· She talked solidly for five minutes, hardly pausing for breath.
written (=breathe)· I hid behind the door, hardly daring to draw breath.
adjectives (=that smells unpleasant)· Smoking gives you bad breath.
(=in which you breathe a lot of air in slowly)· She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
(=in which you breathe a small amount of air in)· Shallow breaths are often a sign of nervousness.
phrases (=when you are unable to breathe easily)· Symptoms include dizziness and shortness of breath.
(=when you breathe in very quickly and suddenly, especially because you are surprised)· He gave a sharp intake of breath.· His first response was a sharp intake of breath.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· I went outside for a breath of air.
He waited for a reply to his offer with bated breath.· In high altitudes some people have trouble breathing.
This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due. She stopped and took a deep breath.· She was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.
· We do breathing exercises in my yoga class.
She was breathing freely. Brendan climbed slowly, gasping for breath. ‘He’s such an unpleasant man,’ Alyssia muttered under her breath. He was panting for breath.· She had to pause for breath after every two or three steps.
He caught up with Gary, puffing for breath. (=your heart beats faster because you are afraid, excited etc) She caught sight of Rob and felt her heart quicken.
She caught sight of Rob and felt her heart quicken. He lay there unconscious, breathing shallowly. (=to find out if someone has drunk alcohol)· Some people think the police should be able to carry out random breath tests.
(=while feeling very anxious or excited)· She waited with bated breath to see what he would say.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Bill Muggeridge opened his mouth to say something, but happily only bad breath came out.· The mouth of the face had bad breath.· Warning: Moderate consumption of this product is likely to cause pronounced belching and bad breath.· Despite suggestions that he should bathe every day, he still suffers from smelly feet and bad breath.· Warning: Eaten in sufficient amounts, this product ensures bad breath, probable indigestion and pungent, loose stools.· Why didn't they tell us which EastEnder had such bad breath her screen husband couldn't bear kissing her?· Kids talk candidly and loudly about their Santa experience, and are quick to point out body odor and bad breath.
· From July onwards the town of Whaddon had waited with bated breath.· Neither Bradford nor Birmingham regrets entering the tourist trade - the industry waits with bated breath to see how Swindon fares.· I was waiting with bated breath for him to say something, anything, that wasn't a cliche.· So now I wait with bated breath.
· She took a deep breath and rang the bell at the parson's house.· I stuck my head out of the window and took deep breaths of the fragrant air.· She took a deep breath, then walked reluctantly to the massive door and rang the bell.· When my turn comes I take a deep breath and plunge in.· When he heard the deep intake of breath, Joe related.· I shut my eyes, extend my arms to their fullest, and take a deep breath.· Blood matted the blond hair, and Lindsey took a deep breath as she leaned closer to peer at the wound.
· Cardiff could feel hot breath on his leg, and knew that the Peters thing wanted to bite him.· She cupped the raw winter air in her hands and blew hot breath into her palms.· I n the United States the hot breath of corruption is misting up the mirror of democratic politics.· He could almost feel hot, fetid breath warming his skin.· The first whispering breeze came like a hot breath and Wexford closed his windows.· His patchy mongrel pants like an iris where shamrock fans forget to blur. Hot breath of August.
· She heard the indrawn breath hiss sharply through his teeth, and felt the wave of emotion that washed over him.· There was a brief silence like an indrawn breath.· She couldn't prevent her tiny indrawn breath.· From somewhere in the darkness, Sophie made little, stricken noises, all on an indrawn breath.· He could hear her sharply indrawn breath, the effort it took not to comment.· She started, her indrawn breath a soft hiss.· Each indrawn breath was a little throaty snore.· Her head shot round, her shocked gasp mingling with the audible hiss of sharply indrawn breath.
· Rostov drew a long shuddering breath.· Joe exhales a long breath and sneaks another look at the clock: 1: 58.· The T'ang gave a gentle laugh, delighted, and took a long, deep breath.· He took in a long breath, held it and squeezed the handle of the cutters.· Feeling it should be Michele who recovered it, Luce drew a long, steadying breath and turned to climb down.· As soon as the train started, I drew a long breath of relief.· So innocent a scent, and yet ... Shivering, he took a long, slow breath of her.
· Suddenly, remembering Shaaban's fear - and the man had courage enough - Claudel drew a sharp breath.· There was a sharp intake of breath.· She heard him take a quick, sharp breath.· Then, with a sharp hiss of breath, he brought the sword down sharply.· I force her skinny little arms into the position I need and ignore the sharp intake of breath.· He drew in a sharp breath, his stooped shoulders almost straightening.· Crystal iced spires in twinkling reflection, Sharp intake of breath at such perfection.· There was a sharp intake of breath behind him, and there she stood in the doorway looking at him.
· She went low again, behind Siang, taking a short breath before turning and kicking upward.· Half-dressed and short of breath, they lay side by side resentful of one another and the skylight above them.· He is not a large man, but portly now and rather short of breath.· He fairly sprinted up the stairs, and scarcely paused at the top although clearly short of breath.· She was also short of breath, and her whole face was beginning to swell.· As adults our abdomens get tightened up from stress, and we get used to taking very short, shallow breaths.· The stench of damp that enveloped her was noxious; she tried to take short breaths.· It took away my breath until I took little, short breaths like gasps.
· She tensed; very softy he blew into her ear, until she quivered as his warm breath passed through her.· I am more likely to sense their warm breath than their lips.· And answer: warm flutter of breath.· That his warm breath on her face churned up her insides to such an extent that she was forced to lie rigid?· Paul D blew warm breath into the hollow of his cupped hands.· She felt the warm breath from his wild beast's mouth softly, against her cheek.· I stroked his lovely velvety pelt and smelt his warm meaty breath.
NOUN· Suddenly he noticed how pale I was, and stopped for a moment to let me get my breath back.· Grabbing at the Zodiac's tow line, he held himself against the river for a moment, getting his breath back.· She claimed she must get her breath back.· Just the place to get your breath back.· When he got his breath back she kissed him.· The buoy shielded her from the view of the guards, and she used that advantage to get her breath back.· I locked the shed again and jogged as far as the bridge while I got my breath back.· I am starting to puff a bit now so I stop behind a Ford Capri and try to get my breath back.
· Instead he admitted lesser motoring offences including drink-driving, failing to give a breath test and not stopping after an accident.· Police stopped Kelly, of Chelmsford, and a breath test showed him to be more than twice the legal alcohol limit.· Pritchard failed a roadside breath test which recorded 151 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.· Mr Warren was arrested in Mayfair, London, in May 1990 after a roadside breath test proved positive.· In healthy volunteers, H pylori state was determined by the C urea breath test.· Police kept her locked up in a cell until she gave a negative breath test and was deemed fit to leave.· Police said the driver, who lives nearby with his grandmother, had failed a roadside breath test.· One month after completing this treatment, the C-urea breath test was repeated to assess eradication of the infection.
VERB· Houses white as virgins breathed their stony breaths and expanded their bellies until every polished name-plaque turned to the sun and shone.· After a few seconds, he heard them breathing - one breath long and light, the other slightly shorter and huskier.· The company breathed out with one breath, and crossed themselves.
· It made her catch her breath.· Then I began to catch my breath a little bit.· She could hear Moxie catching her breath.· I caught my breath, releasing the lock.· Crooking a finger, she tapped experimentally, and caught her breath.· It took 10 minutes to catch my breath.· Polly caught her breath, instinctively jerking backwards away from him.· Holliday said he rushed outdoors to check out downtown's fragile, historic buildings after he caught his breath.
· He persevered silently while the music played, and drew a deep breath when it ended.· Miss Sadie drew a deep breath.· Bella drew her breath in sharply, almost beside herself with rage.· Loucks drew a breath, still peering at me, wondering perhaps how good a student I might be.· She drew a deep breath, then went out to keep her appointment.· Caroline took the chance to draw some calming deep breaths, get her scattered emotions under control.· But it was Mary whose bold appearance drew the breath and the admiration of all of them.· Abruptly, she drew in her breath.
· Holding her tightly, he could feel her breath coming quicker from her fear.· Ezra could feel the breath of the girl behind him.· I felt their breaths at the window.-And the rivers too come down from the hills.· I felt her breath and almost closed my hand, it tickled so.· Cardiff could feel hot breath on his leg, and knew that the Peters thing wanted to bite him.· Sometimes, at the intersections, she comes so close that I can feel her breath on the back of my neck.
· I will fight to my last breath.· I wad tired of fighting for breath.· The illness causes the sufferer to fight for every breath when they're having an attack.· His face was set in a painful rictus, his chest heaving as he fought for breath.· Half way up she paused, fighting for breath, suddenly struck by the enormity of what she was doing.· Agnes leaned against the castle wall, which was streaming with water, and fought for breath.· None of the usual muck one finds in the lungs when a man's fighting for his breath.· Theda held her while she fought for breath, taking in great gasps of air.
· Sobbing, gasping for breath, she began to crawl across the floor.· They gasped for breath, struggled against debilitating weakness, and when the blood vessels around their brains ruptured, they died.· Yet even as the boy fell back, gasping for breath, that strange transformation overcame him again.· I will be gasping for breath 24 hours a day.· Katze dashed on to the bridge of the Raubvogel, gasping for breath.· We gasped for breath and fought off the pain, desperate not to lose.· The knowledge left her shaken, gasping for breath.· I pulled up at the bottom of the course, leaned on my poles and gasped for breath.
· She could hear Moxie catching her breath.· Next to her right ear she could hear his breath, a shallow snuffle.· Presently, he heard the breath whistle in her throat, a gasp, a tiny groan.· He could hear her sharply indrawn breath, the effort it took not to comment.· When I could hear his panting breath as well as the heavy feet I knew I'd let him get too close.· She heard their hissing breaths, and the hard, sharp noise of their hooves on the polished floorboards.· There was a note of urgency in his tone and she could hear his breath.
· She crouched down, holding her breath, and peered in the direction of the sound.· I can hold my breath longer than any of my upgrades have lasted.· I stopped to listen, holding my breath.· His mouth gaped as he held his breath.· As the others crossed their fingers and held their breath, he gently eased away the back plate.· We held our breaths, covering our nostrils and mouths with our hands.· She held her breath as their lips met, but this one was gentle and affectionate, like a brother and sister.
· Suddenly he noticed how pale I was, and stopped for a moment to let me get my breath back.· He let out his breath, and sat down on the stool by the telephone.· She finished taping him up and let him catch his breath while she reloaded the gun.· They could let their breaths out now.· It was like letting your breath out slowly, it took him far away from himself.· Mitchell let out his breath and stood up, worried about what would happen next.· He let out a long-held breath.· Rather let the breath of new life be breathed by you through the forms already existing.
· Greatly relieved, he muttered under his breath and crossed himself several times.· He muttered something beneath his breath about the blessings of the blind.· She was darting back and forth across the clutter on the floor, tweaking cords and muttering beneath her breath.· Sheridan muttered under his breath several times, making the people he was sitting with uncomfortable.· He was ill-washed and stubble-chinned and he muttered beneath his breath.· But the Tarvarian only muttered something under his breath, and spat left and right.
· She paused for breath and found her hand on the grey standing stone.· He stops, pausing for breath.· At the top of the cliff we paused to catch our breath and look around.· They would pause for breath, swear, and then come together again, their fists up, moving in.· We clung together, breathless, until we had to pause for breath.· Then, without pausing for breath or breaking her stride, she pushed open the door of his private office.
· You can save your breath, Fiver.· Your cheeks bulge with your last saved breath.· She might as well have saved her breath.· He might as well have saved his breath - a sea of green benches confronted the Ulster members.
· Dorcas hurried back and climbed, with a lot of stopping for breath, up to the plank.· Mrs Stillman stopped to catch her breath.· When he was climbing the far side of the valley, he stopped for breath, and something made him turn round.· He stops, pausing for breath.· He could see Georgiades stop to catch his breath.· What was it that could stop my breath, my heart, and be the last part of me to die?· They hurt brutally, stopping every breath from being drawn.· The watches were stopped and everyone held breath as the timekeepers turned for consultation with the track referee.
· I sucked on breath mints, rubbed deodorant under my arms and on my feet.· Chesarynth sucked in another breath of the sweet, tangy air and melted into the crowd, shuffling inside with the rest.· As he sucked in his breath, the hand covering her mouth fell.· Bernice sucked in a deep breath, searching for a tell-tale smell - and there it was!· The waiting crowd of marchers groaned and sucked in their breath in sympathetic pain at every blow.· He sucked in a deep breath.
· Once escaped, she took a few deep breaths.· Then I took my deep breath and went down.· Maidstone paused and took a deep breath.· How, one marveled, can any trumpeter deliver so much music and take so few breaths?· Some of it was charmingly primitive, some of it so exotically painted it took your breath away.· The men blinked as the door slammed; then a few cleared their throats guiltily and dared take a breath.· She takes a deep breath, but doesn't use it.· I went up to the bed, took a deep breath, and turned the covering back.
· She went low again, behind Siang, taking a short breath before turning and kicking upward.· I went up to the bed, took a deep breath, and turned the covering back.· Then, almost in the same breath, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room without another word.· Cursing Paul under her breath Erika turned.
· From July onwards the town of Whaddon had waited with bated breath.· Neither Bradford nor Birmingham regrets entering the tourist trade - the industry waits with bated breath to see how Swindon fares.· I waited to get my breath before cutting across the road.· I was waiting with bated breath for him to say something, anything, that wasn't a cliche.· He didn't even wait to catch his breath.· The valley seemed to be waiting, holding its breath in anticipation of some terrible event.· It could be felt that some one within the house was waiting with held breath and beating heart.· So now I wait with bated breath.
· You know it and so do I. So don't waste your breath!· Was there any point in even wasting her breath trying to convince him?· Besides, something told her she'd be wasting her breath.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► pardon me for breathing/living
- And if they don't take your breath away the scenery certainly will.
- Just a white-hot bonding with the words and feelings in the song, a raw purity that will take your breath away.
- Middle Earth took your breath away.
- She had taken his breath away when she appeared at the door.
- Some of it was charmingly primitive, some of it so exotically painted it took your breath away.
- The smoke took your breath away.
- The volatility of the top performers can take your breath away.
- There are sunsets in huge skies to take your breath away.
- "Son of a bitch," Bill muttered under his breath.
- And, as he played, he seemed to talk to himself under his breath.
- Greatly relieved, he muttered under his breath and crossed himself several times.
- He hissed those words under his breath, your friend, his fingers digging mindlessly into the clear plastic packets of prophylactics.
- He swore under his breath and then quickly thrust the sack back into the water.
- Major Roland Tuck swore peaceably under his breath.
- Peter muttered something resentful under his breath, but did as she asked.
- Quietly, under my breath, I began humming Handel.
- Sitting back, humming under his breath, he scanned the waters for anything that might present itself.
- He's a performer who is frequently mentioned in the same breath as Mick Jagger.
- She said everything looked perfect, but in the same breath she suggested moving the couch more over to the window.
- But in the same breath, they threatened to flood the streets of Belgrade if he betrays them.
- It wallows in the worst excesses of sentimentality and adopts a moral tone that condemns and condones misbehaviour in the same breath.
- Mostly when they are mentioned they are mentioned in the same breath as legacies.
- No, perhaps you'd better not mention loo paper in the same breath as Easter eggs.
- Nor has he condemned right-wing extremism without condemning the rarer left-wing sort in the same breath.
- The adventure which we set ourselves was this: to try and experience myth and actuality in the same breath.
- Then, almost in the same breath, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room without another word.
- Unpredictable recordings like this one keep him from being mentioned in the same breath as the Rippingtons.
- With his last breath, he told me he would always love me.
- Scarcely a breath of air disturbed the stillness of the day.
- It had been a very cold but bright morning, without a breath of wind.
- Not a breath of air disturbs the tranquil spectacle.
- Ramsey presumably leant out for a breath of air.
- The moon was hidden under a veil of clouds, and there was not a breath of wind.
- There was complete silence and not even a breath of wind disturbed the peace.
- There was not a breath of wind blowing, and not a leaf or blade of grass stirred.
- There was scarcely a breath of wind.
- I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air.
- Moving to this big apartment was like a breath of fresh air.
- As I say, we must introduce a breath of fresh air into the inspection system.
- Comes to corner of the street for a breath of fresh air.
- His condition is fine and he went out for a breath of fresh air.
- Lawrence has proved a master of communication and a breath of fresh air to North-East sportswriters.
- Steve Forbes is a breath of fresh air to the process.
- Undoubtedly to the disappointment of the leakers, Inman came through the whole affair like a breath of fresh air.
- We need a breath of fresh air in school inspections.
- You really want to turn around and get a breath of fresh air.
- If you're waiting for the Cubs to win the series, don't hold your breath.
- Clark had to sit down to catch his breath.
- And then history paused, just to catch its breath.
- Both waders immediately filled and I caught my breath as freezing April waters began to stimulate sensitive nether regions.
- Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.
- I said, falling on to a chair, trying to catch my breath.
- She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.
- She could hear Moxie catching her breath.
- The slow movement of this performance is particularly fine, with pianissimos that have you catching your breath.
- Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.
- Save your breath. He won't listen.
- The soldiers' families waited with bated breath for news.
- From July onwards the town of Whaddon had waited with bated breath.
- I was waiting with bated breath for him to say something, anything, that wasn't a cliche.
- Neither Bradford nor Birmingham regrets entering the tourist trade - the industry waits with bated breath to see how Swindon fares.
- So now I wait with bated breath.
- Five hours more and she'd breathe her last and never know them.
- In the blue light of the morning he breathed his last.
- Large-scale, publicly-owned enterprises will breathe their last gasp and wither away well before the state which spawned them.
- Millions who were dangerously ill or breathing their last.
- The moment Carey was confident that Elizabeth had breathed her last he was in the saddle, racing for the Border.
- When it looked as though he was breathing his last, Beria's face shone with delight.
- I'm already really busy today, and now Paul's breathing down my neck saying he wants the Paris deal completed.
- I can't work with you breathing down my neck.
- We'd better start sending out those letters soon -- I've had the sales manager breathing down my neck about it all week.
- He would be breathing down your neck all the time.
- Labour and the Liberal Democrats are breathing down his neck.
- Maybe the Assistant Commissioner's wife was breathing down Maxham's neck.
- The staff is breathing down your neck.
- And then history paused, just to catch its breath.
- Both waders immediately filled and I caught my breath as freezing April waters began to stimulate sensitive nether regions.
- Busacher slumped into the passenger seat and sat catching his breath.
- I said, falling on to a chair, trying to catch my breath.
- She caught her breath in fear, holding it until the answer came.
- She could hear Moxie catching her breath.
- The slow movement of this performance is particularly fine, with pianissimos that have you catching your breath.
- Tokyo stocks fell Monday as investors caught their breath following a strong advance over the two previous sessions.
- Given unexpected control of his lungs, he spluttered and drew breaths until his body took over.
- He drew breath hard, and stepped out from his shallow niche and stood in the centre of the walk.
- In a minute, she would dare draw breath again.
- It must be impossible to stand up against it, he wrote, impossible to draw breath before it.
- Lady Thatcher never drew breath, while John Major was a good listener.
- She drew breath for the first time in three and a quarter hours.
- She flipped through the catalogue and drew breath time and again.
- She fought the futile urge to draw breath.
- The cabin was full of heavy breathing and the stink of our sweat.
- The rustling of bushes and the sounds of heavy breathing at the sandbar to the north deepened the stillness of dusk.
- The staff relaxed, until the building started expanding and contracting - an effect they described as akin to heavy breathing.
- There was no sound except the heavy breathing around him; the whole world seemed asleep.
- They heard heavy breathing and a figure appeared round the corner, clothed in the grey garb of Godstowe Priory.
- It stinks so bad you have to hold your breath until you come out.
- Patrice held her breath, waiting for Lettie's reply.
- Rachel held her breath as she waited for his answer.
- The art world will be holding its breath to see how much these paintings sell for at auction.
- An anxious nation holds its breath.
- Benjy rang the doorbell, then held his breath, waiting.
- He discovered that he was holding his breath, and gulped for air.
- It gave her the feeling that the whole world was holding its breath.
- She held her breath on another quick dart of guilt.
- We held our breaths, covering our nostrils and mouths with our hands.
- Wall Street is not holding its breath waiting for a new deal.
- From somewhere in the darkness, Sophie made little, stricken noises, all on an indrawn breath.
- He could hear her sharply indrawn breath, the effort it took not to comment.
- She couldn't prevent her tiny indrawn breath.
- She heard the indrawn breath hiss sharply through his teeth, and felt the wave of emotion that washed over him.
- She started, her indrawn breath a soft hiss.
- The beautiful brocade coat stretched taut across the back, spreading to an intimidating width with his angry, indrawn breath.
- There was a brief silence like an indrawn breath.
- There were indrawn breaths at such plain speaking, but no actual rebuttals.
- All of a sudden, she realised there had been a collective intake of breath and that everyone around her was staring at the monitors.
- Crystal iced spires in twinkling reflection, Sharp intake of breath at such perfection.
- I force her skinny little arms into the position I need and ignore the sharp intake of breath.
- There was a sharp intake of breath behind him, and there she stood in the doorway looking at him.
- There was a sharp intake of breath.
- Truculently she pushed her hands through the glossy waves and then froze, suddenly aware of Lucenzo's prolonged intake of breath.
- When he heard the deep intake of breath, Joe related.
- Where an intake of breath is not necessarily followed by an exhalation.
- He might as well have saved his breath - a sea of green benches confronted the Ulster members.
- She might as well have saved her breath.
- You can save your breath, Fiver.
- After recovering from an attack of shallow breathing he recovered and one nurse said he was smiling and cooing in his cot.
- Holding your breath builds up tension and shallow breathing denies your body the oxygen it needs to function at maximum efficiency.
- If there is severe difficulty in breathing - shortness of breath, wheezing, laboured, rapid or shallow breathing.
- Jezrael's heart beat faster but she forced herself to slow the shallow breathing of panic.
- This might be a typical presentation of acute hyperventilation caused by rapid shallow breathing during moments of high anxiety.
- Ursula Dean's palms were damp as panic pumped through her, escaping in hasty, shallow breathing and agitated heartbeats.
- He sleeps badly and is short of breath on exertion.
- The view from the overlook will take your breath away.
- And if they don't take your breath away the scenery certainly will.
- His arrogance almost took her breath away.
- She had taken his breath away when she appeared at the door.
- Some of it was charmingly primitive, some of it so exotically painted it took your breath away.
- The audacity of it takes my breath away, the nerve of the man.
- The volatility of the top performers can take your breath away.
- This time it was not Ana who took her breath away.
- Besides, something told her she'd be wasting her breath.
- I ain going waste my breath.
- I figure why waste my breath.
- Was there any point in even wasting her breath trying to convince him?
- You know it and so do I. So don't waste your breath!
WORD FAMILYnounbreathbreatherbreathingadjectivebreathlessbreathyverbbreatheadverbbreathlessly
1 a)[uncountable] the air that you send out of your lungs when you breathe: Leo could smell the wine on her breath. Let your breath out slowly. b)[uncountable] air that you take into your lungs: When he reached the top of the stairs, his heart was pounding and he was gasping for breath. c)[countable] an amount of air that you take into your lungs: Shaun took a deep breath and dived in. ► Do not confuse the noun breath /breθ/ with the verb breathe /briːð/: She took a deep breath and continued. | I can’t breathe in here!2a breath of fresh air a)something that is new and different in a way you think is exciting and good: Osborne’s play brought a breath of fresh air to the British theatre. b)clean air outside, that you feel you need after being inside for a long time: I’m going outside for a breath of fresh air.3don’t hold your breath informal used to say that something is not going to happen soon: The system’s due for an update, but don’t hold your breath.4catch your breath (also get your breath back) to start breathing normally again after running or making a lot of effort: Slow down, I need to catch my breath.5don’t waste your breath (also save your breath) spoken used to say that someone will not be able to persuade someone else, so there is no point in trying: Save your breath. She’s already made up her mind. Will he listen to me or will I just be wasting my breath?6take somebody’s breath away to be extremely beautiful or exciting: The view from the top will take your breath away.7under your breath in a quiet voice so that no one can hear you: ‘Son of a bitch,’ he muttered under his breath.8in the same breath a) (also in the next breath) used to say that someone has said two things at once that are so different from each other they cannot both be true: He criticized the film, then predicted in the same breath that it would be a great success. b)if you mention two people or things in the same breath, you show that you think they are alike or are related: I became nervous when the doctor mentioned my mother’s name and ‘cancer’ in the same breath.breath as/with a young poet mentioned in the same breath as T.S. Eliot9with your last/dying breath at the moment when you are dying: With his last breath, he cursed his captors.10[singular] written a very small amount or a sign of somethingbreath of They did everything they could to avoid the slightest breath of scandal.11a breath of air/wind literary a slight movement of air: Scarcely a breath of air disturbed the stillness of the day. → with bated breath at batedCOLLOCATIONSverbstake a breath (=breathe in)· Alex took a deep breath, then jumped into the pool.let your breath out (=breathe out)· Let your breath out slowly and relax.hold your breath (=not breathe out for a few seconds or minutes)· How long can you hold your breath underwater?be out of breath (=have difficulty breathing after running, hurrying etc)· Andrew hurried in, slightly out of breath.be short of breath (=be unable to breathe easily because you are ill, old etc)· Near the top of the mountain I started to feel short of breath.gasp/fight for breath (=have difficulty breathing)· He was lying on the floor gasping for breath.get your breath back (also catch your breath) (=start breathing normally again)· He leant against a tree until he had got his breath back.pause for breath· She talked solidly for five minutes, hardly pausing for breath.draw breath written (=breathe)· I hid behind the door, hardly daring to draw breath.adjectivesbad breath (=that smells unpleasant)· Smoking gives you bad breath.a deep/long breath (=in which you breathe a lot of air in slowly)· She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.a shallow breath (=in which you breathe a small amount of air in)· Shallow breaths are often a sign of nervousness.phrasesshortness of breath (=when you are unable to breathe easily)· Symptoms include dizziness and shortness of breath.an intake of breath (=when you breathe in very quickly and suddenly, especially because you are surprised)· He gave a sharp intake of breath.· His first response was a sharp intake of breath.