to breathe

Examples

• All

• I would be in stress, but you know, just breathe and there is no stress.

• Perhaps I can learn to sing, but it is significant for me to learn how to breathe again.

  Fiction book (2002)

• So stop, think, breathe, and only then speak.

  DoctorRamani

• So my message to you is just breathe and believe.

  Evan Carmichael

• I want you all to take a second just to breathe, O.K.?

  Fiction book (1999)

• Last week I wanted space and room to breathe, and I got that, by and large.

  Blog text (32)

• The other thing is my ability to breathe and recover.

• When things get difficult (and they will), stop for a moment, breathe, and relax.

  Academic text (2008)

• I think we just need to take a pause, don't we, and just breathe?

  Kipchoge: The Last Milestone (2021)

• Now it's time to ease up, meditate, breathe, slow down, and call Dr. Post for my adjustment.

  Blog text (1)

Synonyms

R

to relax

vsto breathe

∞ 1.0

To feel less nervous and more calm

involves stopping activity briefly for rest, not just becoming less tense

R

to rest

vsto breathe

816 1.0

To stop activity to relax or sleep and get energy back

means a brief pause for recovery rather than prolonged stopping or sleep

T

to take a break

vsto breathe

496 1.4

To stop doing something for a short time to rest or relax before continuing

focuses on short pauses specifically for rest and recovery

C

to chill out

vsto breathe

• Informal

99 4.9

To relax and become calm after you feel upset

focuses on calming strong feelings rather than taking a short rest to recover

T

to take a moment

vsto breathe

98 3.4

Stop for a short time to think, rest or remember something

is a short break of more substance for rest and recovery

W

to wind down

vsto breathe

• Informal

39 3.7

To relax after a busy or stressful time and slowly come to an end

refers to a slow relaxation process or ending, not a quick short break

U

to unwind

vsto breathe

35 3.4

Become relaxed and less tense after work or a stressful time

is used for relaxing after longer stress periods rather than a short pause

C

to catch one's breath

vsto breathe

32 3.7

Pause to breathe normally after hard exercise or a shock

focuses on breathing recovery after exertion rather than general relaxation

T

to take time out

vsto breathe

24 3.2

Stop what you are doing to rest or do something different for a short time

emphasizes resting and recovery rather than doing a different task

T

to take a breather

vsto breathe

• Informal

14 3.5

To stop and rest for a short time

is the more general phrase for the same short rest

T

to take a load off

vsto breathe

• Informal

13 5.5

To sit down and rest after standing or working

is used for brief breaks not limited to sitting or posture change

D

to decompress

vsto breathe

• Informal

11 4.2

Relax and become less tense after work or stress

is about reducing stress over time rather than a brief pause during activity

S

to set a spell

vsto breathe

• Archaic

9.4

To sit and rest for a short time and talk

is a short break used for social relaxing, not only recovery

Idioms

B

to breathe a word

• Informal

12 6.3

To tell someone a secret that should be kept

B

to breathe a sigh of relief

• Informal

12 2.5

To feel very relieved after a time of worry

L

to live and breathe

• Informal

9 4.8

To be very excited about something and always make it a main part of life

B

to breathe one's last

• Literature

2 7.9

To stop living

Phrasal Verbs

B

to breathe in

54 1.0

To take air into your lungs through your nose or mouth

B

to breathe down someone's neck

• Informal

14 7.5

To watch or pressure someone closely so they feel nervous

B

to breathe out

8 1.0

To push air out of your lungs

B

to breathe easy

• Informal

5 3.4

To feel relaxed and relieved after a worrying time

How Long

to take time off

26 2.6

to call it a day

• Informal

42 3.1

to rest

816 1.0

to breathe

• Informal

25 2.6

to pause

346 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology