◙ noun 1. [mass noun] the air taken into or expelled from the lungs • 气息，呼出（或吸入的）空气 »I was gasping for breath. 我大口喘气。 »his breath smelled of garlic. 他呼出来的气息有股大蒜味。 an inhalation or exhalation of air from the lungs • 呼吸 »she drew a quick breath. 她迅速吸了口气。 [mass noun] (archaic)the power of breathing;life • [古] 呼吸能力，生命 [insing.] a slight movement of air • 微风 »the weather was balmy, not a breath of wind. 天气温和，一丝风也没有。 [insing.] a sign, hint, or suggestion • 迹象，暗示 »he avoided the slightest breath of scandal. 他对流言飞语避之唯恐不及。
【IDIOMS】
◘ before one can (或 has time to) draw breath 1. before one can do anything, such is the speed of events • 顷刻之间，弹指之间 ◘ a breath of fresh air 1. a small amount of or a brief time in the fresh air • 少量的新鲜空气，短暂的时间内呼吸到的新鲜空气 a refreshing change • 带来新鲜感的变化 »Mike, my present husband, was a breath of fresh air. 我现在的丈夫迈克，让大家耳目一新。 ◘ the breath of life 1. a thing that someone needs or depends on • 生命中不可缺少的东西 »politics has been the breath of life to her for 50 years. 这五十年以来，政治一直是她的生命。 ◘ catch one's breath 1. cease breathing momentarily in surprise or fear • （因惊讶或害怕而）屏息 2. rest after exercise to restore normal breathing • 松一口气，歇一口气 ◘ don't hold your breath 1. [informal] used to indicate that something is unlikely to happen • [非正式] （用于表示某事不会发生）别憋着呼吸，别期望太高 »Next thing you know I'll be knitting baby clothes. But don't hold your breath!. 还要告诉你一件事，我要编织娃娃穿的衣服了。不过不要抱太高期望。 ◘ draw breath 1. breathe in • 吸气 ◘ get one's breath back 1. begin to breathe normally again after exercise or exertion • 喘过气来，恢复正常呼吸 ◘ hold one's breath 1. cease breathing temporarily • 屏气 (figurative)be in a state of suspense or anticipation • [喻] 焦急，期待 »France held its breath while the Senate chose its new president. 参议院选新议长时弗朗思非常焦急。 ◘ in the — breath 1. used to refer to the place of a statement in a sequence of statements, typically one containing a contradiction or inconsistency • 在…时 »she admitted it but said in the same breath that it was of no consequence. 她承认了这件事同时却又说这并不重要。 ◘ the (或 one's) last breath 1. the last moment of one's life (often used hyperbolically);death • 临终，濒死；死 »she would fight to the last breath to preserve her good name. 为保护自己的清誉，她将斗争到底。 ◘ out of breath 1. gasping for air, typically after exercise • （尤指运动后）喘不过气来 ◘ take breath 1. pause to recover free and easy breathing • 歇口气，歇会儿透口气 ◘ take someone's breath away 1. astonish or inspire someone with awed respect or delight • 使某人激动（或惊羡）得透不过气来 ◘ under (或 below) one's breath 1. in a very quiet voice; almost inaudibly • 压低嗓子，低声地 »he swore violently under his breath. 他压低嗓门恶骂。 ◘ waste one's breath 1. talk or give advice without effect • 徒费唇舌，白说 »I've far better things to do than waste my breath arguing. 我不会徒费唇舌辩论的，我还有更有意义的事情要做呢。
【语源】
1. Old English brǣth smell, scent, of Germanic origin; related to brood