not hold your breath

not hold your breath
not hold (your) breath to not expect something to happen quickly.

She wants the company to apologize for damaging her reputation, but she isn't holding her breath.

Usage notes: often used in the form don't hold your breath:

If you're waiting for the next big cut in computer prices to buy that powerful new machine, don't hold your breath.

Etymology: based on the idea that it will take longer for the thing you are waiting for to happen than the amount of time you can hold you breath (= stop breathing)

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • hold your breath — phrase to breathe in and not let the air out again for some time Simon held his breath and dived under the surface. Thesaurus: to breathe, or to have difficulty breathingsynonym general regions and organs inside the bodyhyponym Main entry: breath …   Useful english dictionary

  • Don't Hold Your Breath — Single by Nicole Scherzinger from the album Killer Love R …   Wikipedia

  • not hold breath — not hold (your) breath to not expect something to happen quickly. She wants the company to apologize for damaging her reputation, but she isn t holding her breath. Usage notes: often used in the form don t hold your breath: If you re waiting for… …   New idioms dictionary

  • don't hold your breath — don’t hold your breath spoken phrase used for telling someone not to expect something to happen because it probably will not If you’re waiting for him to apologize, don’t hold your breath. Thesaurus: ways of warning or advising someonesynonym… …   Useful english dictionary

  • don't hold your breath — If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn t have high expectations about something …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • don't hold your breath — spoken used for telling someone not to expect something to happen because it probably will not If you re waiting for him to apologize, don t hold your breath …   English dictionary

  • don't hold your breath —    If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn t have high expectations about something.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • don't hold your breath — it is not going to happen soon, be prepared to wait    The City will repair the street but don t hold your breath …   English idioms

  • Don't hold your breath. — something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen. She said she d phone but don t hold your breath …   New idioms dictionary

  • Don't hold your breath —   If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn t have high expectations about something …   Dictionary of English idioms

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