breathing spaceˈbreathing ˌspace (also ˈbreathing ˌroom) noun [uncountable] 
This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due.2enough room to move or breathe easily and comfortably in
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He managed to create enough breathing space in the snow to survive until he could be rescued.
- And the political culture is one that provides government with the breathing space necessary to address itself to those problems.
- But dentists in the NorthEast said the delay had only given the profession a short breathing space.
- But four minutes from the finish Elwood's second drop goal offered Ireland some much need breathing space.
- By holding off on both at least until next year, Clerides has created some diplomatic breathing space.
- Fortunately the Tories have bought a breathing space in which to sort out their policies.
- This creates a breathing space between inner clothes and the waterproof outer skin; important when only thermals are being worn underneath.
- We finally realised that we could avoid even that embarrassment by giving ourselves breathing space.
- Were they given this breathing space it would give them a chance to be less edgy about Olwyn.
Longman Language Activatora period of time when you stop doing something
a long or short period when you stop your work or normal activities, before continuing them again later: · She returned to her job after a six-month break.break from: · After finishing school, Craig felt he needed a break from studying.lunch/coffee/tea break (=when you stop work to have lunch, coffee etc): · You get a one hour lunch break, and fifteen minutes for a coffee break in the afternoon.
written a short period during which you stop speaking or stop doing something before starting again: · After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right."pause in: · There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.a pregnant pause (=a pause when someone is expected to say something, especially something awkward or embarrassing): · "Where's Matt?" There was a long and pregnant pause.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better: · The noise went on all night, without a single moment's respite.respite from: · The citizens had only a few days' respite from the conflict, before the shelling began again.be no/little respite: · Weathermen yesterday warned that there would be no respite from the gales.a brief/short-lived/temporary respite: · The drug can only provide a brief respite from the pain.a welcome respite: · Some mothers regard work as a welcome respite from the stress of looking after a home and children.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better. Letup is more informal than respite: · There was a short letup in the downpour after lunch.without (a) letup: · The fighting raged without a letup through the night,letup in: · Kline warned against any letup in the pilot's concentration.
a temporary break in busy activity, noise, talking, fighting etc: · There was a lull, and then the thunder came again.lull in: · Managers at Metrocentre have reported a lull in the recession, as takings continue to soar.· For two days there had been a lull in the fighting.· I waited for a lull in the conversation, before getting up to go.
a short time when you stop doing something difficult, tiring etc, so that people have time to think more clearly about the situation: · At last a temporary agreement was reached, which gave both sides a breathing space.breathing space to do something: · After the divorce, I badly needed some breathing space to try and rebuild my life.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due.
1a short time when you have a rest from doing something before starting again: This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due. This deal should give the company some extra breathing room before its loans are due.2enough room to move or breathe easily and comfortably in