Bated breath

Meaning

The idiom "bated breath" means waiting or anticipating something with bated breath, which can mean being anxious, nervous, or excited to hear what is coming next.

Usage

• She had been bated breath as her boss finally revealed the outcome of the project.
• The crowd was bated breath for the final act at the concert.
• I was bated breath when my friend told me about his near-death experience on a camping trip.
• He took a deep breath and started performing, but his audience was bated breath until the end of the show.
• The news that she won the lottery had everyone in the office bated breath.

Roots and History

The idiom "bated breath" dates back to the 16th century and comes from the Old French phrase "bauder la bouche," which means to hold one's breath. It was used to describe someone who was waiting with anticipation, anxiety, or excitement for something to happen. The phrase has been used in English literature since then, including works by Shakespeare and Jane Austen.

Synonyms in English

• Holding your breath
• Anticipating with bated breath
• Waiting with eager anticipation
• Holding one's breath in anticipation
• Awaiting with bated breath

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - Esperar con la lengua fuera del labio (Literally, "to wait with the tongue out of the mouth")
• French - S'attendre avec le souffle interrompu (Literally, "to wait with interrupted breath")
• German - Warten mit bated breath (Similar to English)
• Italian - Aspettare con la bocca aperta (Literally, "to wait with an open mouth")
• Japanese - 緒めだけを保つ (Kataginu kodomo no aru koto o mamoru), which means "to hold on to only anticipation."

Similar Idioms

• be up on

• burn bridges

• be in the same boat