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
That’s good news for traders, who have been waiting with bated breath for a cut since late last year.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo has five key takeaways from the hearing.
HIGHER ED: Colleges are waiting with bated breath after the president announced an upcoming deal with Harvard University, fearing concessions that could become a blueprint for what the administration demands of other schools.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Both men, and likely Ralphs, will be watching the Rock Hall voting period play out, too — if not with bated breath, then certainly with interest.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
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
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo has five key takeaways from the hearing.
HIGHER ED: Colleges are waiting with bated breath after the president announced an upcoming deal with Harvard University, fearing concessions that could become a blueprint for what the administration demands of other schools.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 26 June 2025
Both men, and likely Ralphs, will be watching the Rock Hall voting period play out, too — if not with bated breath, then certainly with interest.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
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
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 19 Aug. 2025.
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