breathe

not breathe a word

to not tell people a secret. Please tell me what happened. I promise I won't breathe a word.

See also: word

breathe down someone's neck

to pay very close attention to what someone does in a way that annoys or worries them. It's awful having to work with a boss who's breathing down your neck the whole time.

See also: down, neck

breathe fire

to be very angry about something. The bishop was breathing fire over the press release made a few days ago. (sometimes + over)

See also: fire

breathe (new) life into something

to make something that was boring seem interesting again. Breathe new life into a tired old bathroom with a coat of brightly coloured paint in this season's exciting colours.

See also: life

live and breathe something

if you live and breathe an activity or subject, you spend most of your time doing it or thinking about it because you like it so much. For twenty years I've lived and breathed dance. It's been my whole life.

See also: live

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breathe a sigh of relief

to feel comfortable again after worrying about something. Coastal residents breathed a sigh of relief when the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm. Her children breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she made arrangements to get help.

See also: relief

breathe a word

to tell a secret. If you breathe a word of this to anyone, the whole deal will fall apart.

Usage notes: often used in the form not breathe a word: We were warned not to breathe a word about the party.

See also: word

breathe down your neck

to watch too closely what you do. The supervisor breathes down my neck all the time, trying to make sure I'm working hard enough.

See also: down, neck

breathe easy

to relax. Baseball fans can breathe easy now that the players' strike is over.

See also: easy

breathe your last

to die. Jay made the trip north to be with his mother when she breathed her last.

Usage notes: also used to describe the end of a organization, belief, or relationship: Amtrak may shortly breathe its last — without more funding, it may have to shut down next month.

See also: last

breathe (new) life into something

to bring ideas and energy to something. Changes in the performance have breathed new life into a show that seemed ready to close. He has promised to breathe new life into the organization.

See also: life

breathe your last

breathe easy

See also: last

live and breathe something

to be extremely interested in something. I found it hard to discuss the poems, since I did not live and breathe poetry like many of my classmates did.

See also: live