hold one's breath

hold one's breath
hold one's breath
1. Lit. to stop breathing for a short period, on purpose. •

Do you hold your breath when you dive into the water?

•

I can't hold my breath for very long.

2. Fig. to wait or delay until something special happens. (Usually in the negative. See also Don't hold your breath.) •

I expect the mail to be delivered soon, but I'm not holding my breath. It's often late.

* * *
{v. phr.} 1. To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous. * /The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish./ 2. To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement. * /John held his breath for days before he got word that the college he chose had accepted him./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • hold one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous. * /The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish./ 2. To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement. * /John held his breath for days… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hold one's breath — ► hold one s breath cease breathing temporarily. Main Entry: ↑breath …   English terms dictionary

  • hold one's breath — phrasal 1. : to cease breathing momentarily (as from fear) 2. : to be in extreme suspense held her breath all during the examination for fear the child would not pass * * * hold one s breath 1. To refrain from breathing temporarily 2. To wait in… …   Useful english dictionary

  • hold one's breath — stop breathing for a moment when one is excited or nervous I had to stop and hold my breath while I was waiting for the announcement of the winning names …   Idioms and examples

  • hold\ one's\ breath — v. phr. 1. To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous. The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish. 2. To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement. John held his breath for days before he… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • hold one's breath — cease breathing temporarily. → breath …   English new terms dictionary

  • hold one's breath — phrasal 1. to prevent oneself from breathing temporarily 2. to wait in anxious anticipation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hold one's breath — verb To wait, as if breathlessly …   Wiktionary

  • hold one's breath — be excited; be anxious; be nervous …   English contemporary dictionary

  • catch one's breath — breath, stop for a breath; stop one s breath, hold one s breath …   English contemporary dictionary

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