catch one's breath

English

Verb

catch 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

to take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 歇口氣／歇口气, 歇口气 (xiē kǒuqì), 休息一下 (xiūxi yīxià)

• French: reprendre son souffle (fr)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: verschnaufen (de)
• Russian: передохну́ть (ru) pf (peredoxnútʹ)

to take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise

• Japanese: 息を呑む (ja) (いきをのむ, iki o nomu), 息を殺す (いきをころす, iki o korosu)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: перевести́ дух pf (perevestí dux)