breathing space

noun

: some time in which to recover, get organized, or get going

called also breathing room, breathing spell

Examples of breathing space in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This interpretation of the rules—first developed for Burkina Faso in 2014, when mass demonstrations led to the downfall of a long-standing ruler—allows the AU to give a breathing space for democracy to emerge. —Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2019

While contemporary decor is often characterized by extra breathing space on walls and surfaces, this can become the perfect opportunity for displaying heirlooms. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2025

Liverpool’s win, combined with Arsenal’s defeat at home to West Ham on Saturday, gives Arne Slot’s side some breathing space and a clear advantage in this season’s title race. —James Nalton, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers are averaging well under a point per game and still have breathing space. —Stuart James, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for breathing space

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace