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… … New idioms dictionary
hold — hold1 W1S1 [həuld US hould] v past tense and past participle held [held] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(in your hand/arms)¦ 2¦(event)¦ 3¦(keep something in position)¦ 4¦(job/title)¦ 5¦(keep/store)¦ 6¦(keep something available for somebody)¦ 7¦(keep somebody… … Dictionary of contemporary English
breath — [[t]bre̱θ[/t]] ♦♦♦ breaths 1) N VAR: oft poss N Your breath is the air that you let out through your mouth when you breathe. If someone has bad breath, their breath smells unpleasant. I could smell the whisky on his breath... Smoking causes bad… … English dictionary
hold — 1 verb past tense and past participle held IN YOUR HANDS/ARMS 1 a) (T) to have something firmly in your hand or arms: He was holding a knife in one hand. | Can you hold the groceries for me while I open the door? | I held the baby in my arms. |… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
hold — I [[t]ho͟ʊld[/t]] PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING ♦ holds, holding, held 1) VERB When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms. [V n prep/adv] Hold the knife at an angle... [V n] She is holding her … English dictionary
hold — I. verb (held; holding) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English healdan; akin to Old High German haltan to hold, and perhaps to Latin celer rapid, Greek klonos agitation Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to have possession or… … New Collegiate Dictionary
breath — [ breθ ] noun count or uncount *** the air that goes in and out of your body through your nose or mouth: He could feel her warm breath on his face. His breath smelled strongly of alcohol. a. the act of getting air into your lungs by breathing:… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
breath — W2S3 [breθ] n [: Old English; Origin: brAth] 1.) a) [U] the air that you send out of your lungs when you breathe ▪ Leo could smell the wine on her breath. ▪ Let your breath out slowly. ▪ He s got bad breath (=breath that smells unpleasant) … Dictionary of contemporary English
hold one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous. * /The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish./ 2. To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement. * /John held his breath for days… … Dictionary of American idioms
hold one's breath — {v. phr.} 1. To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous. * /The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish./ 2. To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement. * /John held his breath for days… … Dictionary of American idioms
