Take a breather Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈbɹiðɝ

TAYK-uh BREE-thur

UK

tˈeɪk/ /æɪ/ /bɹˈiːðɐ

TAYK-uh BREE-thuh

Definition

To pause for a short time in order to rest, especially after doing something tiring.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, often used after physical or mental effort. Typical with verbs like "need","should", or questions ("Let's take a breather"). Closely related to "take a break," but usually shorter and for quick rest.

• Spanish: tomarse un respiro - tomar un descanso breve
• Portuguese (BR): dar uma pausa - tomar um fôlego
• Portuguese (PT): fazer uma pausa - tomar fôlego
• Chinese (Simplified): 喘口气 - 休息一下
• Chinese (Traditional): 喘口氣 - 休息一下
• Hindi: थोड़ा ब्रेक लेना - सांस लेना
• Arabic: أخذ قسط من الراحة - التقاط الأنفاس
• Bengali: একটু বিরতি নেওয়া - একটু বিশ্রাম নেওয়া
• Russian: передохнуть - сделать короткую паузу
• Japanese: ひと休みする - 休憩を取る
• Vietnamese: nghỉ một chút - nghỉ lấy sức
• Korean: 잠깐 쉬다 - 잠깐 숨 돌리다
• Turkish: nefes almak - kısa bir mola vermek
• Urdu: تھوڑا آرام کرنا - سانس لینا (وقفے کے طور پر)
• Indonesian: ngambil napas sebentar - istirahat sebentar

Example Sentences

Let's take a breather before starting the next exercise.

basic

You look tired. You should take a breather.

basic

I need to take a breather after climbing the stairs.

basic

Can we take a breather? My brain needs a break from all this math.

natural

I just need to take a breather—it's been a crazy morning.

natural

Why don't you take a breather while I finish up here?

natural