take a breath

English

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Verb

take a breath (third-person singular simple present takes a breath, present participle taking a breath, simple past took a breath, past participle taken a breath)

(idiomatic) to inhale and subsequently exhale air
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 15, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
  She paused and took a defiant breath. ‘If you don't believe me, I can't help it. But I'm not a liar.’
(idiomatic) to pause or rest after strenuous activity
(idiomatic) to calm down

Derived terms

take a deep breath

Translations

to inhale especially after strenuous activity

Maori: whakangā

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