hold your breath
يحبس أنفاسه
Use it to describe intense suspense or to sarcastically suggest that something will never happen.
Em 15 segundos
- Physically stopping breathing or waiting with intense, nervous anticipation.
- Commonly used negatively to mean 'don't expect it to happen.'
- Works in both literal physical contexts and emotional figurative ones.
Significado
This phrase describes the physical act of stopping your breathing for a moment. It is also used figuratively to describe waiting for something with intense excitement, nervousness, or anticipation.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Swimming with friends
How long can you hold your breath underwater?
How long can you hold your breath underwater?
Waiting for exam results
The whole class held their breath as the teacher opened the envelope.
The whole class held their breath as the teacher opened the envelope.
Skepticism about a late friend
He said he'd be here at five, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
He said he'd be here at five, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the physiological reality that humans naturally stop breathing during moments of extreme shock or suspense. In modern English, the negative variation 'don't hold your breath' has become a cultural staple for expressing skepticism about someone's promises or slow bureaucracy.
The Sarcastic Twist
If someone says 'I'll finish the project by tomorrow,' and you reply 'Don't hold your breath,' you are being a bit cheeky. It's a friendly way to say 'I know you're usually slow!'
Don't confuse with 'Save your breath'
'Save your breath' means 'stop talking because I'm not listening.' It's much more aggressive than 'hold your breath'!
Em 15 segundos
- Physically stopping breathing or waiting with intense, nervous anticipation.
- Commonly used negatively to mean 'don't expect it to happen.'
- Works in both literal physical contexts and emotional figurative ones.
What It Means
At its simplest, hold your breath means you stop air from entering or leaving your lungs. You might do this underwater or to avoid a bad smell. However, in conversation, it usually describes a feeling of high tension. It is that moment when your heart beats fast and you are waiting for a big result.
How To Use It
You can use it literally when swimming or hiding. Figuratively, you use it to show you are anxious or excited about an outcome. You will often see the negative version: don't hold your breath. This is a common way to tell someone that something probably won't happen soon. It adds a bit of realistic (or cynical) flavor to your English.
When To Use It
Use it when you are watching a tense movie scene. Use it when you are waiting for a job offer email to arrive. It is perfect for describing the silence in a room before a big announcement. If you are texting a friend about a crush, you might say, "I'm holding my breath for his reply!" It shows you are deeply invested in the moment.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using the figurative version in very dry, technical reports. It is a bit too emotional for a formal chemistry analysis. Also, do not tell someone to literally hold your breath if they are actually panicking. That might be a bit confusing! If a situation is boring or predictable, this phrase won't fit. It needs high energy or high stakes to work well.
Cultural Background
This phrase has been around for centuries. It captures a universal human reaction to fear or wonder. In Western pop culture, it is a staple in song lyrics and movie titles. It represents the "pause" in life before a big change. There is a famous saying, "Don't hold your breath," which became popular in the mid-20th century. It is a sarcastic way to manage someone's expectations.
Common Variations
With bated breath: This is a more poetic, old-fashioned version. It means the same thing but sounds like a classic novel.Don't hold your breath: The most common idiom. It means "don't expect it to happen soon."Take my breath away: This is different! It means something is so beautiful you are shocked.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile, moving easily between literal physical descriptions and figurative emotional states. The negative form 'don't hold your breath' is a very common idiomatic way to express skepticism.
The Sarcastic Twist
If someone says 'I'll finish the project by tomorrow,' and you reply 'Don't hold your breath,' you are being a bit cheeky. It's a friendly way to say 'I know you're usually slow!'
Don't confuse with 'Save your breath'
'Save your breath' means 'stop talking because I'm not listening.' It's much more aggressive than 'hold your breath'!
Bated vs. Held
In very old books, you might see 'bated breath.' It's the fancy ancestor of 'hold your breath.' Use it if you want to sound like Shakespeare!
Exemplos
6How long can you hold your breath underwater?
How long can you hold your breath underwater?
Literal usage regarding physical breath control.
The whole class held their breath as the teacher opened the envelope.
The whole class held their breath as the teacher opened the envelope.
Describes collective suspense and anxiety.
He said he'd be here at five, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
He said he'd be here at five, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Sarcastic use meaning 'I don't think he will actually come.'
Investors are holding their breath for the board's final decision.
Investors are holding their breath for the board's final decision.
Professional context showing market anticipation.
The website says it arrives today, but don't hold your breath!
The website says it arrives today, but don't hold your breath!
Common informal way to express doubt about a timeline.
I held my breath as the ball hit the rim of the basket.
I held my breath as the ball hit the rim of the basket.
Captures a split-second moment of excitement.
Teste-se
Choose the best option to complete the sentence expressing doubt.
The government promised to lower taxes, but I wouldn't ___.
The idiom 'don't hold your breath' is the standard way to say you don't expect something to happen.
Identify the literal use of the phrase.
You need to ___ when you dive into the pool.
In a swimming context, 'hold your breath' is used literally to mean stopping your breathing.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Hold your breath'
Used with friends to show doubt.
Don't hold your breath for that text.
Standard storytelling or news reporting.
The city is holding its breath for the results.
Rarely used; 'anticipation' is preferred.
The committee awaits with bated breath.
When to use 'Hold your breath'
Swimming
Going underwater
Suspense
Watching a scary movie
Skepticism
Doubt about a promise
Excitement
Waiting for a surprise
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it is very common as an idiom for waiting anxiously. For example, We held our breath during the final seconds of the game.
It means you should not expect something to happen anytime soon. It is a way of saying 'it's unlikely.'
Yes, it is neutral enough for work. You might say, The market is holding its breath for the new inflation data.
It can be slightly sarcastic or cynical. Use it with friends, but be careful using it with a boss unless you have a very close relationship.
It follows standard verb tenses. Use held for the past: I held my breath when the car skidded.
Not exactly a slang word, but people often shorten the sentiment to just a skeptical look and the phrase Yeah, don't hold your breath.
Absolutely! It is often used for positive excitement, like waiting for a surprise party to start.
In an idiomatic sense, the opposite might be breathing a sigh of relief once the tension is gone.
It's a warning that if you actually held your breath until the event happened, you would run out of air because it will take a long time!
Yes, it's a very popular lyric to describe love or tension. Many pop and rock songs use it to create a dramatic feeling.
Frases relacionadas
With bated breath
Waiting with great anticipation (more formal/literary).
Breathe a sigh of relief
To feel relaxed after a period of tension.
Take someone's breath away
To astonish or inspire someone with beauty.
Save your breath
To stop wasting time talking to someone who won't listen.
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