| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Breath. | | |
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All in a breath. Without taking breath. (Latin, continenti spiritu.) | 1 |
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It takes away one’s breath. The news is so astounding it causes one to hold his breath with surprise. | 2 |
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Out of breath. Panting from exertion; temporarily short of breath. | 3 |
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Save your breath to cool your porridge. Don’t talk to me, it is only wasting your breath. | 4 |
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“You might have saved your breath to cool your porridge.”—Mrs. Gaskell: Libbie Marsh (Era 111). |
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To catch one’s breath. To check suddenly the free act of breathing. | 5 |
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“‘I see her,’ replied I, catching my breath with joy.”—Capt. Marryat: Peter Simple. |
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To hold one’s breath. Voluntarily to cease breathing for a time. | 6 |
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To take breath. To cease for a little time from some exertion in order to recover from exhaustion of breath. | 7 |
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Under one’s breath. In a whisper or undertone of voice. | 8 |
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