catch breath
يلتقط أنفاسه
Use this phrase when you need a quick moment to recover physically or mentally from a hectic situation.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Stop to breathe normally after physical exercise or running.
- Take a short mental break during a very busy day.
- A polite way to ask for a moment of silence.
- Usually used with 'my', 'your', or 'his' in the middle.
معنی
To stop what you are doing to breathe normally after exercise, or to take a short break from a busy situation to relax.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6After running to catch a train
Wait a second, I need to catch my breath before we start talking.
انتظر ثانية، أحتاج لالتقاط أنفاسي قبل أن نبدأ الكلام.
During a very busy shift at work
It has been so busy today that I haven't had a chance to catch my breath.
كان اليوم مزدحماً للغاية لدرجة أنني لم أحظ بفرصة لالتقاط أنفاسي.
Texting a friend after a long day
Just got home! Let me catch my breath and I'll call you back.
وصلت للمنزل للتو! دعني ألتقط أنفاسي وسأعاود الاتصال بك.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase reflects the fast-paced nature of modern life where 'breathing room' is a luxury. It originated from the physical sensation of recovery after exertion but evolved into a metaphor for mental recovery during the Industrial Revolution. In many English-speaking cultures, saying you need to 'catch your breath' is a polite way to decline an immediate task without sounding lazy.
The 'My' Rule
Always remember to change 'breath' to 'my breath', 'his breath', etc. Saying 'I need to catch breath' sounds like a robot!
Breath vs. Breathe
Don't confuse the noun 'breath' (the air) with the verb 'breathe' (the action). In this phrase, it is always the noun 'breath'.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Stop to breathe normally after physical exercise or running.
- Take a short mental break during a very busy day.
- A polite way to ask for a moment of silence.
- Usually used with 'my', 'your', or 'his' in the middle.
What It Means
Catch breath is about finding your rhythm again. Imagine you just ran for a bus. Your chest is huffing and puffing. You stop, lean against a wall, and wait for your breathing to slow down. That is literally catching your breath. But we also use it for your brain. If your day is crazy and busy, you need a moment to stop and think. You are 'catching your breath' from the chaos.
How To Use It
You usually use a possessive word like my, your, or his in the middle. You say, "I need to catch my breath." It works as a physical description or a mental one. You can use it right after the action happens. Or, you can use it to explain why you are sitting down. It is a very flexible phrase for both body and mind.
When To Use It
Use it at the gym after a heavy set of weights. Use it after climbing four flights of stairs because the elevator broke. It is perfect for a busy workday when you have back-to-back meetings. You might tell a friend, "Give me five minutes to catch my breath before we go out." It shows you are a bit overwhelmed but will be ready soon.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are actually having a medical emergency. If you cannot breathe at all, call a doctor! Also, do not use it for long vacations. You do not catch your breath for two weeks in Hawaii. That is a 'getaway' or a 'break.' This phrase is for short, quick pauses to recover from immediate stress or effort.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, life moves very fast. We value being busy, but we also respect the 'pause.' Catching your breath is a socially acceptable way to ask for a timeout. It suggests you have been working hard. It is a humble way to say, "I am human and I need a moment." It has been used in English literature for centuries to show physical exhaustion.
Common Variations
You might hear catch a breath or take a breath. Catching my breath is the most common for recovery. People also say breathe easy when a stressful situation finally ends. If someone is rushing you, you can say, "Let me catch my breath!" This tells them to slow down and be patient with you.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just ensure you use the correct possessive pronoun (my/your/his/her) to sound natural.
The 'My' Rule
Always remember to change 'breath' to 'my breath', 'his breath', etc. Saying 'I need to catch breath' sounds like a robot!
Breath vs. Breathe
Don't confuse the noun 'breath' (the air) with the verb 'breathe' (the action). In this phrase, it is always the noun 'breath'.
The Social 'Pause'
In the US and UK, saying 'I need to catch my breath' is a polite way to stop a conversation you find overwhelming without being rude.
مثالها
6Wait a second, I need to catch my breath before we start talking.
انتظر ثانية، أحتاج لالتقاط أنفاسي قبل أن نبدأ الكلام.
Physical recovery after running.
It has been so busy today that I haven't had a chance to catch my breath.
كان اليوم مزدحماً للغاية لدرجة أنني لم أحظ بفرصة لالتقاط أنفاسي.
Metaphorical use for being overwhelmed with work.
Just got home! Let me catch my breath and I'll call you back.
وصلت للمنزل للتو! دعني ألتقط أنفاسي وسأعاود الاتصال بك.
Informal way to ask for a little time.
Let's pause here for a moment to catch our breath before moving to the next data set.
دعونا نتوقف هنا للحظة لنلتقط أنفاسنا قبل الانتقال إلى مجموعة البيانات التالية.
Used to give the audience a mental break.
I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath!
كنت أضحك بشدة لدرجة أنني لم أستطع التقاط أنفاسي!
Common expression for intense laughter.
The news was so sudden, she had to sit down to catch her breath.
كانت الأخبار مفاجئة للغاية، اضطرت للجلوس لتلتقط أنفاسها.
Emotional shock causing physical reaction.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct possessive pronoun to complete the sentence.
He ran all the way here and now he needs to catch ___ breath.
In English, we almost always use a possessive adjective (my, your, his, her, our, their) with this phrase.
Identify the best context for this phrase.
I've been answering emails for four hours. I need to ___.
The idiom is specifically 'catch my breath', even when used metaphorically for work.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Catch Breath'
Used with friends after sports or laughing.
Hang on, let me catch my breath!
Standard use in daily life or office.
I need a moment to catch my breath.
Used in speeches to slow down the pace.
Let us catch our breath before the next section.
When to Catch Your Breath
After Exercise
Post-sprint recovery
Busy Workday
Between meetings
Intense Laughter
After a funny joke
Shocking News
Processing a surprise
سوالات متداول
10 سوالYes, but it is less common. Usually, we use possessives like my breath or your breath to make it personal.
Not at all! You can use it when you are busy at work or when life feels like it's moving too fast, such as I need a weekend to catch my breath.
Yes, it is neutral. You can say, Let's take a moment to catch our breath before discussing the budget.
Catch breath usually implies you were just doing something intense or fast. Take a break is more general and can be planned.
Absolutely. You can say, I finally caught my breath after the race. Note that the past tense of catch is caught.
No! Hold your breath means to stop breathing on purpose. Catch your breath means to try and breathe normally again.
No, it is a standard English idiom (collocation) that is used by everyone from children to CEOs.
Yes. If someone gives you shocking news, you might say, Wait, let me catch my breath, that's a lot to take in.
It is always singular: breath. Even if a group of people is doing it, you say We need to catch our breath.
Using the verb form: catch my breathe. Remember, breath rhymes with death, and breathe rhymes with seethe.
عبارات مرتبط
Take a breather
To take a very short rest or break from an activity.
Catch some air
Often used in sports to mean jumping high, or simply going outside for fresh air.
Winded
To be out of breath, usually after being hit or exercising hard.
Breathe easy
To relax after a period of tension or worry.
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