in the same breath

1. Of a statement, immediately or almost immediately after something else has been stated, often something contradictory. I don't understand how she can praise the mayor and talk about his scandals in the same breath.2. In a way intended to compare the two things being discussed. Please don't speak of him in the same breath as George Washington. Gina found it incredibly flattering to be mentioned in the same breath as some of her favorite novelists.See also: breath, same

in the same breath

Fig. [stated or said] almost at the same time. He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath he said I was doing a good job. The teacher said that the students were working hard and, in the same breath, that they were not working hard enough.See also: breath, same

in the same breath

1. Also, in one breath. At or almost at the same time. For example, Ed complains about having too much homework and in the same breath talks about going out every night , or The twins said, in one breath, "More cake, please." [Mid-1800s] 2. not in the same breath. Not to be compared. For example, Karen's a good runner, but you can't speak of her in the same breath as an Olympic athlete . Also see in the same league. See also: breath, same

in the same breath

COMMON1. If someone says something and then in the same breath they say something else, they are saying two things which are very different or which cannot both be true. For politicians to demand firm immigration controls and argue against racism in the same breath is a deep contradiction. Some of his old friends say he has left them behind for the rich and famous, but in the same breath that they know he would visit them in hospital.2. If something or someone is spoken about in the same breath as something or someone else, they are spoken about together, as if they are similar or of similar value. His contemporaries spoke of him in the same breath as Leonardo and Michelangelo. Don't mention him in the same breath as me!See also: breath, same

in the same (or the next) breath

as the next in a series of statements, contradicting a previous one.See also: breath, same

ˌsay, etc. something in the same ˈbreath

say something which appears to be the opposite of what you have just said: He told me that my work had improved and then in the same breath said that I was lazy.See also: breath, same, something