Catch your breath Meaning in English
expression
ˈkætʃ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈbɹɛθ
KATCH-yer-BRETH
kˈætʃ/ /jˈɔː/ /bɹˈɛθ
KATCH-yaw-BRETH
Definition
To pause and breathe deeply after physical activity or a shock, so you can regain normal breathing. It can also mean taking a moment to calm down or recover in a stressful situation.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic expression, not literal. Common after exercise, fast walking, or emotional shocks. Often used as 'give me a moment to catch my breath.' Not about stopping permanently, just pausing briefly.
Spanish: recuperar el aliento - tomar airePortuguese (BR): recuperar o fôlegoPortuguese (PT): recuperar o fôlegoChinese (Simplified): 喘口气 - 恢复呼吸Chinese (Traditional): 喘口氣 - 恢復呼吸Hindi: सांस लेना - साँस ठीक करनाArabic: استرجاع أنفاسك - التقاط أنفاسكBengali: দম নেওয়া - একটু দম নেয়াRussian: перевести дух - отдышатьсяJapanese: 息を整える - 息をつくVietnamese: lấy lại hơi - lấy hơiKorean: 숨을 고르다 - 숨을 돌리다Turkish: nefesini toparlamak - nefes almak (kısa süre)Urdu: سانس بحال کرنا - سانس لینا (آرام سے)Indonesian: mengatur napas - menarik napas
Example Sentences
Let me catch my breath after running up the stairs.
basic
She stopped to catch her breath during the hike.
basic
You need to sit down and catch your breath.
basic
Wow, that news! Give me a second to catch my breath.
natural
He finished the race and bent over to catch his breath.
natural
Let's take a break and catch our breath before we keep moving.
natural