catch one's breath

catch one's breath
a) To take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that ones breathing becomes easier.

They stopped for a moment at the end of the set to catch their breath before resuming play.

b) To take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise.

John caught his breath when he saw the bottle rolling unstoppably towards the opposite edge of the table.


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  • catch one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./ Compare: TAKE ONE S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • catch one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise. * /The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath./ Compare: TAKE ONE S BREATH AWAY. 2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running. * /After running to the bus stop …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • catch one's breath — Ⅰ. ► catch one s breath 1) cease breathing momentarily in surprise or fear. 2) rest after exercise to restore normal breathing. Main Entry: ↑breath Ⅱ. ► catch one s breath 1) draw one s breath in sharply …   English terms dictionary

  • catch one's breath — verb take a short break from one s activities in order to relax (Freq. 1) • Syn: ↑rest, ↑breathe, ↑take a breather • Derivationally related forms: ↑breather (for: ↑breathe), ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • catch one's breath — idi catch one s breath, to pause so as to rest …   From formal English to slang

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

  • catch\ one's\ breath — v. phr. 1. To breathe in suddenly with fear or surprise. The beauty of the scene made him catch his breath. Compare: take one s breath away 2a. To rest and get back your normal breathing, as after running. After running to the bus stop, we sat… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • catch one's breath — stop to rest and regain one s normal breathing After running from the station it took a moment to catch my breath …   Idioms and examples

  • catch one's breath — 1》 cease breathing momentarily in surprise or fear. 2》 rest after exercise to restore normal breathing. → breath …   English new terms dictionary

  • catch one's breath — phrasal to rest long enough to restore normal breathing; broadly to rest after a period of intense activity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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