catch one's breath

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English[edit]

Verb[edit]

catch one's breath (third-person singular simple present catches one's breath, present participle catching one's breath, simple past and past participle caught one's breath)

  1. to take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that one's breathing becomes easier
    They stopped for a moment at the end of the set to catch their breath before resuming play.
  2. to take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise
    John caught his breath when he saw the bottle rolling unstoppably towards the opposite edge of the table.

Translations[edit]