with bated breath
idiom
: in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen
They waited for the answer on their application with bated breath.
Examples of with bated breath in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the very start of this year, following the announcement of her engagement to Tom Holland, the world has been waiting with bated breath to see Zendaya in a wedding dress.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
As the college football world waits with bated breath to find out where Lane Kiffin will be in 2026, other college programs are beginning to wind down their own head-coaching searches.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Every year, restaurateurs and diners wait with bated breath to see which spots earned or lost Michelin stars, which are announced in regional ceremonies and then published in the organization’s global guides.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Nov. 2025
Sub-Saharan African nations benefitting from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have been waiting for months with bated breath on news of a renewal for the 25-year-old trade preference program, which stands to expire on Tuesday.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
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Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
As the college football world waits with bated breath to find out where Lane Kiffin will be in 2026, other college programs are beginning to wind down their own head-coaching searches.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Every year, restaurateurs and diners wait with bated breath to see which spots earned or lost Michelin stars, which are announced in regional ceremonies and then published in the organization’s global guides.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Nov. 2025
Sub-Saharan African nations benefitting from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have been waiting for months with bated breath on news of a renewal for the 25-year-old trade preference program, which stands to expire on Tuesday.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for with bated breath
Cite this Entry
“With bated breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/with%20bated%20breath. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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