Meaning

2 senses
  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hold, one's, breath. To keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling.

    den Atem anhalten

    затаи́ть дыха́ниеzataítʹ dyxánije

  2. (idiomatic)To wait expectantly for something to happen soon.

    He might pay back the money he borrowed without you reminding him, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

    sich große Hoffnungen machen

Examples

91 sentences
  1. I held my breath and waited.

    Я затримав дихання і чекав. — deniko

    ruЯ ждал затаив дыхание. — Hellerick

    deIch hielt den Atem an und wartete. — Vortarulo

  2. He held his breath.

    Він затримав дихання. — deniko

    ruОн задержал дыхание. — afyodor

    deEr hielt seinen Atem an. — Esperantostern

  3. She held her breath.

    Вона затримала подих. — deniko

    ruОна задержала дыхание. — ichigo

    deSie hielt den Atem an. — Manfredo

  4. Tom held his breath.

    Том затамував подих. — deniko

    ruТом задержал дыхание. — marafon

    deTom hielt die Luft an. — sebby

  5. Don't hold your breath.

    Навіть не сподівайся на це. — deniko

    ruДержи карман шире! — AqQoyriq

    deVerlassen Sie sich nicht allzusehr darauf. — Pfirsichbaeumchen

Translations

8 languages
Русский
By meaning 1
to keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling:
Deutsch
By meaning 2
to keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling:
to wait expectantly for something to happen soon:

Forms

holds one's breath, holding one's breath, held one's breath, held one's breath
Base formhold one's breath · to hold one's breath
3rd person singularholds one's breath
Present participleholding one's breath
Past simpleheld one's breath
Past participleheld one's breath

irregular · Lesson

Present simpleLesson

I, you, we, theyhold one's breath
he, she, itholds one's breath

Past simpleLesson

all personsheld one's breath

Present perfectLesson

I, you, we, theyhave held one's breath
he, she, ithas held one's breath

Future simple (will)Lesson

all personswill hold one's breath

Word family

1 related words

See also

neighbours in the dictionary
hold one's breath — meaning, examples, forms, synonyms | Krumeto