| 单词 | to take breath |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto take (one's, a) breath Phrases P1. Noun phrases. a. breath of life. Chiefly with the. (a) The breath regarded as the means by which life is supported. Cf. life-breath n. at life n. Compounds 3.Frequently with reference to Genesis 2:7, in which God breathes life into the man he has created; cf. quot. a1382. ΚΠ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. ii. 7 Þe lord god..spyride in to þe face of hym: ane entre of breþ of lyf [L. spiraculum vitae]. 1596 T. Lodge Prosopopeia sig. G4v Oh loue, if thou art mightier than death, now shew thy power,..breath the breath of life into him by imbraces and kissing. 1611 Bible (King James) Gen. vii. 22 All in whose nosethrils was the breath of life . View more context for this quotation 1833 J. Neal Down-easters I. i. 14 Never seed sich a fellow since I breathed the breath of life. 1987 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 12 Mar. c6/1 Oxygen is the waste product they [sc. water plants] breathe out, but it is the breath of life to the consuming element: the fishes, newts, tadpoles and insects. 2014 S. Afr. Archaeol. Bull. 69 169/2 Amongst the Khoe-San wind and breath is used as a way of talking about the god-given breath of life that ultimately defines what an organism is. (b) figurative. Something which has a sustaining or revitalizing effect. Also: a substantial improvement to prospects. ΚΠ 1814 Ld. Byron Ode to Napoleon 9 The earthquake voice of Victory, To thee the breath of life. 1870 Leicester Jrnl. 15 Apr. A new breath of life is stirring Society. New views are rapidly forming; new hopes and aspirations are entering into the heart of the masses. 1925 N. P. Price in J. Aaron View across Valley (1999) xi. 120 Excitement and fun were the very breath of life to her. 1969 Dixon (Illinois) Evening Tel. 9 Apr. 16/5 Staring at almost certain defeat, the Cubs got a breath of life when Randy Hundley singled with one out in the bottom of the 11th. 2020 Blue Mountains Gaz. (Sydney) (Nexis) 15 Apr. 29 We are well aware that competition is the breath of life in the food service industry. b. a breath of fresh air. (a) A (usually short) period of time spent in the open air, or outdoors, esp. as a means of relief from being indoors.Quot. 1787 could alternatively be interpreted as showing sense 6a. ΚΠ 1787 S. Trimmer Two Farmers xx. 97 When I had been in London a month, I longed for a breath of fresh air. 1849 C. Brontë Shirley II. vii. 173 Joe Scott had sauntered forth from the church to get a breath of fresh air, and there he stood. 1912 J. Conrad Secret Sharer i, in 'Twixt Land & Sea 120 I strolled out on the quarter-deck... A breath of fresh air was all I wanted. 2003 H. Camisa & J. Franklin Inside Out iv. 54 It's kind of stuffy in here, so I think we'll go out for a breath of fresh air and change of scenery. (b) figurative. A person who or thing which is regarded as a pleasant and refreshing change.In similative use in quot. 1874. ΚΠ 1874 L. D. Blake Fettered for Life 96 It's just like a breath of fresh air talking to you, Laura.] 1901 Sewanee Rev. 9 499 Mr. Peake brings a characteristic American breath of fresh air into his book. 1990 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 14 June 3 g In a business where overblown egos often take precedence over the music, she's a breath of fresh air, content to remain a ‘team player’. 2000 Org. Gardening Sept. 8/2 Your editorial was such a breath of fresh air. It was straightforward, sincere, and most informative. P2. to draw (one's) breath and variants: to breathe; to inhale; (later also) to rest and recover one's normal rate of breathing after vigorous physical activity. Also in extended use: to live; to be alive. before one can (also has time to) draw breath: before one can do anything; instantly. ΘΚΠ the world > life > source or principle of life > [verb (intransitive)] liveeOE aliveeOE ylivec950 won971 goc1225 movea1325 breathea1382 reigna1400 to pass on earth (also mould)c1400 to draw (one's) breath?1570 exist1578 respire1619 to tread clay, this earth, shoe leather1789 to grab on1861 to store the kin1866 c1300 St. Bartholomew (Laud) l. 45 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 368 Þat he ne may enes drawe is breth. c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. l. 1458 (MED) He myȝt vnneþe drawe his breth. ?1570 T. Drant Two Serm. sig. H.vi O all ye..that draw breath vnder the cope of the skies, ye spring vp like Lilies, and goe downe like Lilies. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §744 Wee see, that in great Colds, one can scarce draw his Breath. 1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer xii. 278 Shall I arm myself against that country where I first drew breath, against the play-mates of my youth? 1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. 116 ‘A careless girl¬’ said Mr. Brocklehurst, and immediately after—‘It is the new pupil, I perceive.’ And before I could draw breath, ‘I must not forget I have a word to say respecting her.’ 1949 G. Berrie Morale 27 On the outskirts of the crowd they stopped to draw breath. 1989 T. Parker Place called Bird xxiii. 288 He'll have you out [of your car] with your hands up and search you for your piece before you've time to draw breath. 2003 J. R. Lennon Mailman ii. vii. 385 He draws breath now, big lungsful of that soupy air, and lets it out slowly. P3. in (also at, with) one breath, in (also with) the same breath, and variants: without pausing to take a breath; inhaling or exhaling only once. Also figurative: in the same statement or context; at the same time (frequently used to imply that a statement contains conflicting ideas or associates dissimilar people or things). ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > simultaneity or contemporaneousness > [adverb] on (or in) one sitheeOE togethersc1175 togetherc1200 at once?c1225 at one shiftc1325 jointly1362 at one strokec1374 with that ilkec1390 at one shipea1400 withc1440 at a timec1485 at (in) one (an) instant1509 all at a shove1555 pari passu1567 in (also at, with) one breath1590 in that ilkec1590 with the same1603 in one1616 concurrently1648 concurringly1650 contemporarily1669 simultaneously1675 synchronistically1684 coevallya1711 in (also with) the same breath1721 synchronically1749 at a slap1753 synchronously1793 contemporaneously1794 coinstantaneously1807 coetaneouslya1817 consentaneously1817 at one or a sweep1834 coincidentally1837 at the very nonce1855 one time1873 coincidently1875 in parallel1969 real time1993 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 357 He ran a furlong at oon breeþ [L. uno anhelitu]. 1590 J. Greenwood Answere Giffords Def. 13 Your vnstablenes in denying and affirming with one breath. 1613 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals I. iv. 65 Sow-thistle.., whose downy wreath, If any one can blow off at a breath, We deeme her for a Maide. 1635 F. Quarles Emblemes i. xii. 49 Thou swallowest at one breath Both food and poyson down. 1721 J. Trenchard & T. Gordon 4th Coll. Cato's Polit. Lett. in London Jrnl. 40 The same worthy, but waggish Pens, represent him with the same Breath, as an abandon'd Atheist, and a bigotted Presbyterian. 1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) iii. 19 Shooting out whatever she had to say in one sentence, and in one breath, if possible. 1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. vi. 564 The Chroniclers speak of it in the same breath with the election of Harold, as if they were both alike popular acts. 1967 Economist 18 Mar. 1008/2 Both Scotland and Wales could in time do well. But the start of their national lives would be bleak... One cannot take seriously the present Nats who advocate freedom and promise prosperity in one breath. 2006 Up Here (Yellowknife, N.W. Territories) Mar. 14/2 The [Yukon] Quest has been called both a grassroots and world class race in the same breath. P4. to take (one's, a) breath. a. To breathe; to inhale. Also: to rest and recover one's normal rate of breathing after vigorous physical activity. Now somewhat rare.Cf. to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4a(a). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > become refreshed or invigorated [verb (intransitive)] to take (one's, a) breatha1398 to pull, shake oneself togethera1400 wheta1400 recomfortc1425 revigour1447 breathe1485 respirea1500 convailc1500 unweary1530 air1633 recruit1644 refresh1644 reanimate1645 invigorate1646 rally1646 to perk upa1656 renovate1660 reawake1663 freshen1694 renervate1801 recuperate1843 to recharge one's (also the) batteries1911 the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > recover to take (one's, a) breatha1398 to catch one's breath1806 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vi. xi. 305 A bond seruant..vnneþe sche is suffred to reste or to take breeth [L. respirare]. 1553 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Healthe (new ed.) sig. c.vii These confections folowinge be good for them whyche cannot take their breath, the confection of muske loche of squilla, loche of pyne, [etc.]. 1631 D. Lloyd Legend Capt. Iones 11 Now Iones all breathlesse sat to take his breath Upon a But of sacke. 1703 tr. A. de Ovalle Hist. Relation Chile i. xi. 25/1 The little Valleys, which are like so many resting places..where Passengers take Breath. 1836 F. Marryat Snarleyyow ix, in Metropolitan Apr. 339 Let's have a song while they take their breath. 1949 W. Havighurst Signature of Time 25 ‘Well—’ she took a breath and quirked her mouth. 1989 K. Burdekin End this Day's Business iii. 67 They were like people who had with terrific toil got themselves up a precipice to a flat place where they could rest and take their breath. 2005 R. Aslan No God but God vi. 160 A technical science of Quranic recitation called tajwid, with strict rules regulating..when to breathe and when not to take breath, which consonants to stress and how long to hold each vowel. b. figurative. To pause in order to reflect, relax, or recover one's equilibrium, esp. after a period of intense activity, emotional upheaval, etc.Cf. to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4a(b). ΚΠ 1572 G. Fenton tr. E. Pasquier Monophylo i. f. 7v Therfore, the cause being no lesse graue in it selfe, than requiring precise consideration, let vs take breath a litle in this arbor, afore I prefer ye point wherein I meane to accuse you. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius iii. f. 401 To pause awhiles, and to take breath vpon good aduise, what were best to be done. 1784 E. Middleton Biogr. Evangelica III. 466 He had scarce time to take breath there, being soon after called to preach at Whitehall. 1868 St. James's Mag. Apr. 143 Andrew Hardell stepped aside into the kitchen, to take his breath before going out to hear the news. 1981 Washington Post 27 Oct. d4 We need to take a breath to assess..the data since the program began. 1990 C. Paglia Sexual Personae vii. 219 Cleopatra vaults from one sexual extreme to the other, barely taking breath. P5. a. to hold one's (also the) breath: to cease breathing temporarily, holding air in one's lungs; (later also figurative) to refrain from taking action until something happens. Also: to check the breath suddenly, as a result of extreme surprise, admiration, or other strong emotion. See also to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4b. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > suspend to hold one's (also the) breatha1398 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] bidec1000 onbideOE abidelOE sustainc1350 tarry1390 await1393 to wait for1577 hearken1580 attend1589 sit1591 wait and see1719 to wait on1773 to hold one's (also the) breath1987 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. ciii. 1253 And holden in þe breþ and blowynge [L. anhelitum et flatum retinent]..so holdynge þe breþe, whanne þey [sc. badgers] ben hunted and putteþ of in þat wise bytyng of houndes. a1475 tr. Gilbertus Anglicus Pharmaceutical Writings (Wellcome) (1991) 168 (MED) If a man holdiþ his breþe, his ȝosking wole cese. 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xiv. 65 Holding the breath doth make one stronger to labour. 1692 R. L'Estrange Fables ccccxxvii. 402 Women are generally so Leaky, that..I have hardly met with any one of the Sex that could not hold her Breath longer then she should keep a Secret. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 51 I held my Breath, and assisted my self to swim still forward with all my Might. 1884 Warren (Pa.) Ledger 22 Feb. It was so miracklus ever'body held thar breath. 1987 Guardian (Nexis) 24 July He wants a new ballot, so we shall have to hold our breath until the autumn. 2013 Church Times 14 June 28/1 Hanli Prinsloo, the South African ‘free-diver’..is capable of holding her breath for six minutes, and diving to 65 metres. b. colloquial (originally U.S.). don't hold your breath: (with reference to a stated or implied situation or event) don't expect it to happen (soon); don't be confident of a successful outcome. ΚΠ 1889 Quincy (Illinois) Weekly Whig 28 Feb. Crowder Yost will give an extensive fox drive in the near future. But don't hold your breath until he gets ready. 1978 Forbes (Nexis) 20 Mar. (Features section) 64 Don't hold your breath for a stampede of Japanese investors, but it would be good news indeed for Wall Street should Japanese money start coming here. 1985 D. Lucie Hard Feelings i. iii, in Progress & Hard Feelings 60/2 Rusty: When I've finished you'll have my undivided attention, OK? Annie (to Viv): Don't hold your breath. 2001 Org. Gardening Jan. 30/3 If you want to try your luck, scrounge some semi-ripe cuttings in July and set them in a grit-lined trench in a cold frame. But don't hold your breath. P6. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [adverb] > easily in breath?1561 ?1561 T. Blundeville Newe Bk. Arte of Ryding ii. ii. sig. E.iii Make a .xi. large turnes and a halfe,..according as your horse shalbe in breath and hable to endure it. 1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1254 The Turkes yet in breath..gaue an attempt vnto the high towne. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. iii. 328 Mr. Gordon..being fresh and in breath, easily outstripped the Gloucester's man, and got before him to the Commodore. 1886 in Boy's Own Ann. (1915) 46/1 I think that is hard work..to fight a man downstairs and come back and try to be in breath as you go on with sermon or prayer. b. (a) out of breath: breathless; breathing with difficulty. Later also as a modifier, usually with hyphens. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adverb] wearily1481 out of breath1565 faintingly1576 languishingly1579 tiredly1659 weariedly1681 pantingly1744 exhaustedly1835 droopingly1852 languorously1858 to a frazzle1865 leadenly1879 jadedly1885 wearifully1888 the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [adverb] > shortness of breath out of breath1565 puffingly1770 1565 J. Shute in tr. P. Viret 1st Pt. Christian Instr. Pref. sig. a.iv He that sat asked hym, why he came thyther,..who beynge excedyngly affrayde & in maner out of breath, aunswered, that he came for a certayne garment for the Pope. 1642 Dolefull Lament. Cheap-side Crosse 3 Some againe will talke themselves out of breath, in scripture phrases. 1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music iii. 35 The Dance is composed of several Returns: Each Return lasts till the Dancers are out of Breath. 1865 D. Livingstone & C. Livingstone Narr. Exped. Zambesi xix. 366 But talking and bawling did not put them out of breath. 1947 G. Greene 19 Stories 156 Low out-of-breath tones. 1987 J. Smith Masculine Ending vii. 93 Opening the front door of the flat, she came face to face with an out-of-breath uniformed policeman. 2017 C. McQueer Hings 153 A few years ago, the weight of the bag over his shoulder would have had him sweating and out of breath. (b) to run (a person or thing) out of breath: to tire (a person) out, esp. with running or other physical activity. Frequently figurative: to exhaust (a person or thing). Now rare. ΚΠ 1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. M.iii I thinke it better to rest in the midway, then run my selfe out of breath, & get no goale. a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 57 You run this humor out of breath . View more context for this quotation 1756 Ess. on Times 53 They had run their resentment out of breath, or evaporated it upon that pitiful object. 1862 J. Skelton Nugæ Criticæ xi. 488 This..is the age of hurry-skurry. We have all run ourselves out of breath. 2017 Springfield News-Sun (Ohio) (Nexis) 20 May I read this series of long sentences that should have run me out of breath before I reached the end but never did. P7. to waste (one's) breath and variants: to speak without bringing about any worthwhile result; to speak or argue pointlessly. Now frequently in don't waste your breath and similar negative constructions, used to indicate that there is little point in talking about something.Cf. to waste words, to waste wind at waste v. 9d, to save one's breath at save v. Phrases 6. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > be of no avail [verb (intransitive)] > expend effort in vain > speak in vain to waste breathc1540 to waste (one's) breath1572 to talk to a brick wall1873 1572 T. Palfreyman Divine Medit. To Rdr. sig. ***.vi Whilest thy tongue onely oft babbleth, and vaynely wastest muche breath. 1679 T. D'Urfey Squire Oldsapp i. i. 2 Hold! and prethee waste thy Breath in no more of these lavish praises. 1749 W. Melmoth tr. Quinctilian Dialogue conc. Oratory in Lett. by Sir Thomas Fitzosborne II. 307 They did not think it necessary to declaim in the schools, and idly waste their breath upon feigned or frivolous controversies. 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam cxviii. 185 I trust I have not wasted breath . View more context for this quotation 1920 Muskogee (Okla.) Times-Democrat 24 Mar. 4/1 Politicians don't waste breath on opponents who aren't in the running. 2013 Daily Rec. & Sunday Mail (Nexis) 30 June (First ed.) (Features section) 17 Explaining your point of view isn't likely to change things until she's ready to hear it. So I wouldn't waste your breath. P8. under (also below) one's breath: in a very quiet voice or whisper.See also underbreath n., adj., and adv. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in a whispered manner roundingly?1406 whisperingly1580 under (also below) one's breath1636 auricularly1667 susurringly1830 whisperously1858 underbreath1865 1636 S. Rutherford Let. 22 Nov. in Joshua Redivivus (1664) 22 Madam I finde folks here kind to me, but in the night, & under their breath. 1762 D. Manson Present State & Pract. Play-school in Belfast in New Pocket Dict. 11 One person only can be heard at once; the rest must therefore speak, spell, and read below their breath. 1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. iii. 59 ‘Hush!’ said Ellinor under her breath. 1920 Greencastle (Indiana) Herald 10 May 4/2 Kelly swore below his breath. 2018 S. David Peacock's Alibi ii. 20 Bev..shook her head, muttering something under her breath to try and keep a lid on it. P9. to take a person's breath (away): to cause a person to check his or her breathing suddenly, esp. as a result of extreme surprise, admiration, or other strong emotion. Hence: to take a person by surprise; to astound.Cf. to catch a person's breath at catch v. Phrases 4b. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > be a matter of wonder [verb (intransitive)] > excite wonder dazzle1649 to take a person's breath (away)1700 impress1736 to make a stare1808 astonish1904 to blow (a person's) mind1967 1700 F. Manning Generous Choice iv. i. 26 Seb. My Angel, thou shalt have twenty of them presently. Kisses her...El. Nay now you take my Breath away. 1862 Harper's Mag. Nov. 755/1 The wind and the driving sleet tore madly in and drenched her and took her breath away. 1866 Chess World May 74 Here Mr. Reichhelm commits a blunder which takes one's breath away. a1910 ‘M. Twain’ Myst. Stranger (1916) 14 He said it placidly, but it took our breath for a moment and made our hearts beat. 2000 P. Howard Miseducation Years (2004) i. 46 The eagle rules the skies with a majesty that simply takes the breath away. P10. to bate one's breath: see bate v.2 5a. to save one's breath to cool one's porridge: see porridge n. Phrases 3. < as lemmas |
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