breath
172
1.0
- noun
- /brɛθ/
- Give me a day to catch my breath, I'll write you a full report.
- take a breath
- a deep breath
- catch one's breath
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Watch on YouTubeBoth sides now gathered their breath for the coming storm.
- Both sides now gathered their breath for the coming storm.
- I didn't tell him though, not as I gathered my breath and wished.
- Keep at it, one breath at a time.
- A mindful pause can be, you know, a few breaths or a few minutes.
- And there is no time to stop, set back and take your breath and relax.
- And and for one breath, for one breath, Bird level shout out.
Examples
-
I find these new possibilities a breath of fresh air; let's open the windows.
Academic text (1997) -
If we find another way, we could stop here for a while and take a breath.
-
No, Go outside and catch your breath and come back.
-
I just think you should take a breath and think this through.
-
And you, you just need to stop and take a breath or something... 'cause you're starting to make me nervous.
-
One participant said, "Going to camp and meeting my camp counselor was a breath of fresh air."
Academic text (2008) -
Mother said she was like "a breath of fresh air," and that seemed literally true to Nina.
Fiction book (1990) -
A mentoring relationship can bring a breath of fresh air into a long-time music educator's professional life.
Academic text (2006) -
When we had all settled, Dominga took a deep breath and began her narrative with a trembling voice.
Academic text (2005) -
After running the race, I needed a moment to catch my breath before continuing.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A short rest from work or activity
654
1.0
A period when you stop activity to relax or sleep
169
1.0
A short stop in speaking or activity
154
2.3
A short break from an activity to rest or talk about what to do next
33
3.4
A short rest to recover energy
26
7.2
A short break from something difficult or unpleasant
17
3.8
Extra space or time that lets you relax and think
5
3.5
A short time to rest or think when you feel pressure
5
2.5
A short time to relax and get energy back
2
4.3
A short rest to get energy before continuing a difficult task
1
3.0
A short break to breathe and rest
1
4.2
A short time to rest from work or trouble
A short time to rest and feel less stressed
Idioms
- Informal
27
4.1
To say something in a very quiet voice so other people cannot hear
- Informal
11
5.5
To say two things almost at the same time, often when they do not agree with each other
- Informal
To stop wasting time trying to convince someone who will not listen
Compounds
2
4.8
A tall plant with thin stems and many small white or pink flowers used in bouquets
A small plant with many tiny white flowers that florists use as bouquet filler
How Long
Surface Forms
Etymology
Breath is used for a short rest because taking a breath gives you a natural pause to recover, so a 'breath' between tasks is a small break to regain energy.