breathe into (something)
1. To exhale into something, such as a container, device, or (in the case of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) another person's mouth. In an effort to calm myself down, I tried breathing into a paper bag. The doctor asked me to breathe into a special device. After pulling the drowning boy to safety, the lifeguard started chest compressions on him and breathed into his mouth.
2. To figuratively revive and revitalize something that has become dull or stale. In this phrase, a noun or pronoun is used between "breathe" and "into." The new CEO's creative approach really breathed new life into that failing company. The hiatus has clearly breathed renewed vigor into the writer, as her newest novel is the most exciting and engaging of her whole career. I think that a weekend away without the kids would breathe some spice into our relationship.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
breathe something into something
to revive something; to introduce something new or positive into a situation. Her positive attitude breathed new life into the company. The project breathed a new spirit into the firm.
breathe into something
to exhale into something; to expel one's breath into something. I was told to breathe into a tube that was connected to a machine of some type.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.