Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hold one's breath

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.11 in modern English

Syllables: hold one's breath
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

1

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hold, one's, breath. To keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling.

verb

To wait expectantly for something to happen soon.

Example Sentences

"He might pay back the money he borrowed without you reminding him, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
"Petraeus hoped they would succeed, and lent his support, but he was not holding his breath."
"It would be nice to think there are grown-ups in the Government ready to sort out the mess for the sake of London and its people... but I'm not holding my breath."

Inflected Forms

holds one's breath (present, singular) holding one's breath (participle, present) held one's breath (participle, past) held one's breath (past)

Phrases

don't hold your breath breath-holding with bated breath

Frequently Paired Words

breathholding breath-holding with bated breath

Questions

What does hold one's breath mean?: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hold, one's, breath. To keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling.

How to pronounce hold one's breath

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