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.

    ruЯ ждал затаив дыхание.

    deIch hielt den Atem an und wartete.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B1Open on TatoebaReport a problem
  2. He held his breath.

    Він затримав дихання.

    ruОн задержал дыхание.

    deEr hielt seinen Atem an.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B1Open on TatoebaReport a problem
  3. She held her breath.

    Вона затримала подих.

    ruОна задержала дыхание.

    deSie hielt den Atem an.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B1Open on TatoebaReport a problem
  4. Tom held his breath.

    Том затамував подих.

    ruТом задержал дыхание.

    deTom hielt die Luft an.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B1Open on TatoebaReport a problem
  5. Don't hold your breath.

    Навіть не сподівайся на це.

    ruДержи карман шире!

    deVerlassen Sie sich nicht allzusehr darauf.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B1Open on TatoebaReport a problem

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