with bated breath

phrase

: in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen
They waited for the answer on their application with bated breath.

Browse Nearby Words

with bad/ill grace
with bated breath
with certainty
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Cite this Entry

“With bated breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/with%20bated%20breath. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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