Bated breath idiom meaning

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'with bated breath. Send us feedback about these examples. Accessed 6 Mar.

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Bated breath idiom meaning

Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns 2. Add to word list Add to word list. I waited with bated breath as the results were read out. Translations of with bated breath. See more. Need a translator? Translator tool. Browse witch. Blog Forget doing it or forget to do it?

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At the end of your tether because you are treated as a dogsbody? Falconry and the sea are two rich sources of English expressions. Quirky idioms have embellished everyday English language for centuries, as you will be aware if someone rubbed you up the wrong way recently by jumping the gun out of the blue. When hangry , bants and manspreading made it into the dictionary last month, it was further recognition of the creative new ways we find to communicate. The bird can become short of breath as it flies on the spot, waiting to be released by its handler. A tether is another word for the string tied to a falcon to stop it flying off.

Which is it - bated or baited? We have baited hooks and baited traps, but bated - what's that? Bated doesn't even seem to be a real word, where else do you hear it? Having said that, 'baited breath' makes little sense either. How can breath be baited? With worms? There seems little guidance in contemporary texts. Search in Google and you'll find about the same number of hits for 'baited breath' as 'bated breath'. If you thought this phrase was spelled 'baited breath' you are in good company. Even in one of the best selling books of all time, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban whose publisher could surely have afforded the services of a proof-reader , we have:.

Bated breath idiom meaning

The idea being that one couldn't hold one's breath long enough for the unlikely thing to happen. If know you hope Monica comes to the meeting, but don't hold your breath—she hasn't been to one all year. The phrase suggests that one is breathing shallowly in anticipation of something. I've been waiting with bated breath to hear back from my first-choice school. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. Do not stop breathing waiting for something to happen that won't happen. Meaning that it will take longer for it to happen than you can possibly hold your breath. Tom: The front yard is such a mess. Bob: Bill's supposed to rake the leaves. Tom: Don't hold your breath.

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To top. Quick word challenge Quiz Review. Cite this Entry Citation Share. Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. When should you open up or close down the board with your Scrabble move? Quiz French confusables. The sentence contains offensive content. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'with bated breath. Mar 06, Blossom Word Game You can make only 12 words. Search within work. Pronunciation Guide. My word lists. View More Submit. Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.

Why is this a common idiom in American English? And where did it originate?

Definition of with bated breath from the Collins English Dictionary. Grammar Patterns. The sentence contains offensive content. Spanish English to Spanish. Can you solve 4 words at once? Learner's Dictionary: with bated breath Collins English Dictionary: with bated breath American English Dictionary 1 : with bated breath American English Dictionary 2 : with bated breath Learner's Dictionary: with bated breath Example sentences for with bated breath. The bird can become short of breath as it flies on the spot, waiting to be released by its handler. Italian grammar. Hindi English to Hindi. English—French French—English. English usage. Personal Profile.