take (one's) breath away


take (one's) breath away

To cause someone to feel intense, typically pleasant, astonishment or awe. Did you see Kathy's gorgeous new dress? It took my breath away. The play is stunning—it will take your breath away!See also: away, breath, take

take someone's breath away

 1. Lit. to cause someone to be out of breath due to a shock or hard exercise. Running this fast takes my breath away. Mary frightened me and took my breath away. 2. Fig. to overwhelm someone with beauty or grandeur; to surprise or astound someone. The magnificent painting took my breath away. Ann looked so beautiful that she took my breath away.See also: away, breath, take

take one's breath away

Astonish or shock one, with pleasure, surprise, or some other emotion. For example, That beautiful display just takes my breath away. This idiom alludes to the way one holds one's breath when overcome with sudden emotion. [Mid-1800s] See also: away, breath, take

take your breath away

COMMON If something takes your breath away, it amazes and impresses you. `Tell me again about the picture.' — `It's beautiful. It's so beautiful it takes your breath away.' He had never believed he would come to such power. The more he realized it, the more it took his breath away.See also: away, breath, take

take someone's breath away

inspire someone with awed respect or delight; astonish someone. 1988 Janet Frame The Carpathians The speed of the process took everyone's breath away. See also: away, breath, take

take somebody’s ˈbreath away

surprise or amaze somebody: It quite took my breath away when they told me how much money I had won. ▶ ˈbreathtaking adj. very exciting; spectacular: a breathtaking viewSee also: away, breath, take

take (one's) breath away

To put into a state of awe or shock.See also: away, breath, take