breath (redirected from wasting breath)

a breath of fresh air

someone or something that is new and different and makes everything seem more exciting. Angela's like a breath of fresh air when she comes to stay. After all the criticism, his positive comments came as a breath of fresh air.

See also: air, fresh

catch your breath

1. to stop breathing for a moment because something surprises or frightens you. I caught my breath when I saw the scar on her face.

2. to rest for a moment after doing physical exercise and wait until you can breath regularly again. She stopped to catch her breath at the top of the hill.

See also: catch

Don't hold your breath.

something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen. She said she'd phone but don't hold your breath.

See also: don't, hold

get a/your second wind (British, American & Australian, American)

to suddenly have new energy to continue doing something after you were feeling tired. After two hours we could hardly walk another step, but we got a second wind as we neared home.

See also: second, wind

in the same breath

1. if you say two things in the same breath, you say two things that are so different that if one is true the other must be false. She said she didn't love him any more but in the same breath said how wonderful he was.

2. if you talk about two people or things in the same breath, you think they are very similar. He's a relatively new director but his name has been mentioned in the same breath as Hitchcock. (often + as)

See also: same

take your breath away

if something takes your breath away, you feel surprise and admiration because it is very beautiful, good, or exciting. The beauty of the Taj Mahal took my breath away.

See also: away, take

under your breath

if you say something under your breath, you say it very quietly so that people cannot hear the exact words. 'I don't believe you.' she muttered under her breath.

waste your breath

to tell or ask someone something although this will have no effect. Don't waste your breath. I've already asked her to help and she said no. (often negative) You'd be wasting your breath reporting it to the police - they never look for stolen bikes.

See also: waste

a waste of breath

waste your breath - to tell or ask someone something although this will have no effect. I could try and persuade her to stay, but it would probably be a waste of breath.

See also: waste

with bated breath

if you wait for something with bated breath, you feel very excited or anxious while you are waiting. 'His name wasn't by any chance, Max Peters?' Helena asked with bated breath. We were waiting with baited breath for the prizes to be announced.

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(like) a breath of fresh air

pleasantly different. Selena was a talented and beautiful entertainer, a breath of fresh air in an industry full of people all trying to copy each other.

See also: air, fresh

catch your breath

to stop for a short time to rest or think about something. We needed to catch our breath after she told us the news. She sat down on a rock to catch her breath after climbing to the top of the hill.

See also: catch

get a second wind

to have increased energy or strength after feeling tired or weak. The automobile industry seems to have gotten a second wind. Fred somehow got his second wind about halfway through the race.

See also: second, wind

hold your breath

to wait for something. I've been just holding my breath and hoping they'll call me back for an interview.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of hold your breath (= to stop breathing)

See also: hold

in the same breath

at the same time. How can you say that you are against the death penalty but in the same breath say we may need to use it now?

Usage notes: said when comparing two statements that seem to have opposite meanings

See also: same

not hold your breath

to not expect something to happen quickly. She wants the company to apologize for damaging her reputation, but she isn't holding her breath.

Usage notes: often used in the form don't hold your breath: If you're waiting for the next big cut in computer prices to buy that powerful new machine, don't hold your breath.

Etymology: based on the idea that it will take longer for the thing you are waiting for to happen than the amount of time you can hold you breath (= stop breathing)

See also: hold

out of breath

breathing with difficulty. Bill was completely out of breath after moving the desk upstairs.

save your breath

to not say anything. She figured that they might as well save their breath — her mind was made up.

See also: save

take a deep breath

to pause. Companies want you to buy these high-tech security devices, but you should take a deep breath before you spend your money on them.

See also: deep, take

take your breath away

to be extremely surprised. We have landscapes so grand they will simply take your breath away. She was strolling along the street, and just seeing her took his breath away.

Usage notes: said especially about people or things that are surprisingly beautiful

See also: away, take

under your breath

to say something quietly so that others cannot hear your exact words. The passenger next to me was angry over the delay and kept grumbling about the airline under his breath.

waste your breath

to say something that is likely to be ignored. You'd be wasting your breath reporting it to the police because they don't look for stolen bikes, even expensive ones.

Usage notes: often used in the form don't waste your breath: Don't waste your breath — I've already asked her to help and she said no.

See also: waste

with bated breath

while nervously waiting. We watched with bated breath to see if the mother bear would bring her baby back to safety.