take a breath
idiom
: to pause and rest
(US) I've barely had time to (stop and/to) take a breath since they got here.
(British) I've barely had time to draw breath since they got here.
Examples of take a breath in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Being able to step back, take a breath and explore a situation holistically goes a long way toward gaining clarity in decision-making.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So why can’t Washington just take a breath?
—Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
The first reaction might be to grab the loppers or a chainsaw, but experts say to take a breath because cutting off the nuisance limbs can have repercussions.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
My sister, please take a breath.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a breath
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So why can’t Washington just take a breath?
—Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
The first reaction might be to grab the loppers or a chainsaw, but experts say to take a breath because cutting off the nuisance limbs can have repercussions.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2025
My sister, please take a breath.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a breath
Cite this Entry
“Take a breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20breath. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share