breathing space
noun /ˈbriːðɪŋ speɪs/
/ˈbriːðɪŋ speɪs/
(also breathing room (especially in North American English))
[countable, uncountable]- a short rest in the middle of a period of mental or physical effort
- After finishing one job she needed a breathing space before starting the next.
- This delay gives the party a breathing space in which to sort out its policies.
- The extension of the deadline gives us a breathing space.
Synonyms restrest- break
- respite
- time out
- breathing space
- rest a period of relaxing, sleeping or doing nothing after a period of activity:
- We stopped for a well-earned rest.
- break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat:
- Let’s take a break.
- respite a short break from something difficult or unpleasant:
- The drug brought a brief respite from the pain.
- time out (especially North American English, informal) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies:
- Take time out to relax by the pool.
- breathing space a short rest in the middle of a period of mental or physical effort:
- This delay gives the party a breathing space in which to sort out its policies.
- (a) rest/break/respite/time out from something
- to have/take (a) rest/break/time out
- to give somebody (a) rest/break/respite/breathing space
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