Hardly have time to breathe Meaning in English
expression
Definition
If you hardly have time to breathe, you are extremely busy and have very little free time.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, idiomatic expression. It emphasizes feeling overwhelmed by work or activities. Not used literally; common in both speech and writing to express stress or busyness. Often used in the phrases 'I hardly have time to breathe' or 'She hardly has time to breathe.'
Example Sentences
This week, I hardly have time to breathe because of all my meetings.
basic
Parents of newborn babies hardly have time to breathe.
basic
She works so much that she hardly has time to breathe.
basic
Since I started my new job, I hardly have time to breathe during the day.
natural
With all these deadlines, we hardly have time to breathe around here!
natural
During finals week, students hardly have time to breathe, let alone go out.
natural