short of breath Definition

breath
noun

1. physiol.
The air drawn into, and then expelled from, the lungs.
Thesaurus: inhalation, gasp, sigh, respiration, expiration, suspiration.
2. Exhaled air as odour, vapour or heat.

Example: felt his breath on my face
Example: bad breath
3. A single inhalation of air.

Example: a deep breath
4. A faint breeze.
5. A slight hint, suggestion or rumour.

Example: not a breath of scandal
6. A slight trace of perfume, etc.
7. Life; the power or ability to breathe.

Example: not while I have breath in my body

Idiom: a breath of fresh air

A walk in the open air.

A refreshing and invigorating change, new arrival, etc.

Idiom: catch one's breath

To stop breathing for a moment, from fear, amazement or pain, etc.

Idiom: draw breath

To breathe; to be alive.

colloq
Note: especially with negatives
To stop talking.

Idiom: get one's breath back

To begin breathing normally again after strenuous exercise.

To recover from a shock or surprise.

Idiom: hold one's breath

To stop oneself from breathing or from breathing out, especially when one is anxious, tense or trying to avoid being heard.

colloq
To wait anxiously or expectantly; to expect some imminent change, result, outcome, etc
Example: They are notoriously slow, so don't hold your breath!

Idiom: in the same breath

colloq
Usually said of something spoken, at the very next moment; virtually at the same time.

Idiom: out of breath (short of breath)

Breathless, especially after strenuous exercise.

Idiom: take one's or someone's breath away

colloq
To astound or amaze one or them (see also breathtaking).
Thesaurus: excite, thrill, stimulate, invigorate, exhilarate, enrapture.

Idiom: under one's breath

In a whisper.

Idiom: waste one's breath

To speak without any effect or without being heeded.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon bræth.