say, etc. something in the same breath

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. So do you like him or not? You gush about him and complain about him in the same breath. I understand why they want to built a grocery store there, but, in the same breath, I don't want commercial space so close to my house.

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. Yes, the guy has come up with some innovative things, but let's not mention him in the same breath as Thomas Edison.

See also: breath, same

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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

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