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
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Investors have been waiting with bated breath to see if the president actually removes the Fed chief, which will send ripples through global markets.
—
Fred Imbert, CNBC, 18 July 2025
While some had come to watch America’s favorite pastime, others waited with bated breath, eyes on the digital screens set up around the arena — eager to see a diminutive anime girl with white hair and shark teeth appear.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025
Footwear firms have waited with bated breath for a trade truce with Vietnam, given that more than half of all athletic shoe imports originate in the country.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 July 2025
The world is waiting with bated breath for Iran’s next move after U.S. President Donald Trump authorized strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, despite warnings against such a move from some U.S. lawmakers and foreign leaders.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 June 2025
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Fred Imbert, CNBC, 18 July 2025
While some had come to watch America’s favorite pastime, others waited with bated breath, eyes on the digital screens set up around the arena — eager to see a diminutive anime girl with white hair and shark teeth appear.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025
Footwear firms have waited with bated breath for a trade truce with Vietnam, given that more than half of all athletic shoe imports originate in the country.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 2 July 2025
The world is waiting with bated breath for Iran’s next move after U.S. President Donald Trump authorized strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, despite warnings against such a move from some U.S. lawmakers and foreign leaders.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 June 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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