Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

catch one's breath

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.07 in modern English

Syllables: catch one's breath
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

to take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that one's breathing becomes easier

verb

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

Example Sentences

"They stood for a moment at the end of the set to catch their breath before resuming play."
"John caught his breath when he saw the bottle rolling unstoppably towards the opposite edge of the table."

Inflected Forms

catches one's breath (present, singular) catching one's breath (participle, present) caught one's breath (participle, past) caught one's breath (past)

Synonyms

rest breathe take a breather

Questions

What does catch one's breath mean?: to take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that one's breathing becomes easier

How to pronounce catch one's breath

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “catch one's breath”.
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