/breθ ||; brɛθ/noun1 [U] the air that you take into and blow out of your lungs 气息(呼吸时出入的气): to have bad breath (= breath which smells unpleasant) 有口臭
2 [C] an act of taking air into or blowing air out of your lungs 呼吸: Take a few deep breaths before you start running. 跑步以前要先深吸几口气。
a breath of fresh air the clean air which you breathe outside, especially when compared to the air inside a room or building (一股)清新空气(尤指户外的空气):
Let's go for a walk. I need a breath of fresh air. 我们到外边走走,我想吸点新鲜空气。 (figurative 比喻) James's happy face is like a breath of fresh air in that miserable place. 詹姆斯欢欣的脸孔给那个悲惨的地方带来了一点生气。 catch your breath→
CATCH¹
get your breath (again/back) to rest after physical exercise so that your breathing returns to normal 喘气,喘息(运动过后休息让呼吸回复正常)
hold your breath to stop breathing for a short time, for example when you are swimming or because of fear or excitement 闭气;屏息;屏气:
We all held our breath as we waited for her reply. 我们都屏息静待她的回答。 (be/get) out of/short of breath (to be/start) breathing very quickly, for example after physical exercise 气喘吁吁
say sth, speak, etc under your breath to say sth very quietly, usually because you do not want people to hear you 小声地说(为免别人听见)
take your breath away to surprise sb very much 使惊叹;使惊喜:
The spectacular view took our breath away. 壮丽的景色令我们叹为观止。 ☞adjective breathtaking 形容词为 breathtaking take a deep breath→
DEEP¹
with bated breath→
BATED