Embark on an exploration of the idiom ‘bated breath’ as we unravel its meaning, trace its origin, delve into real-life examples, and even discover quotes that capture the essence of this intriguing phrase. Are you ready for a linguistic journey? Let’s dive in!
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘bated breath’ is an expression used to describe a state of breathless anticipation, anxiety, or suspense. When someone is waiting with bated breath, they are holding their breath or breathing very shallowly due to intense emotions such as excitement, fear, or nervousness.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of “bated breath” can be traced back to the word ‘abate,’ which means to lessen or reduce. In this context, ‘bated’ is a contraction of ‘abated.’ The phrase first appeared in William Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” in the 16th century, where it was used to convey a sense of suspenseful waiting.
10 Idiom Examples in Real-Life Conversations
1. The students waited with bated breath for the exam results, anxious to know how they had performed.
2. As the final moments of the game unfolded, fans watched with bated breath, hoping for a last-minute victory.
3. During the award ceremony, nominees sat with bated breath, eager to hear their names called for the prestigious recognition.
4. The entire courtroom listened with bated breath as the verdict was announced, revealing the outcome of the high-profile trial.
5. With bated breath, she opened the envelope containing the job offer, her future hanging in the balance.
6. Moviegoers sat in the theater with bated breath during the suspenseful climax of the thriller, unsure of the protagonist’s fate.
7. The room fell silent as the speaker paused, and the audience waited with bated breath for the impactful revelation.
8. The mountaineers approached the summit with bated breath, aware of the challenges that awaited them at high altitudes.
9. In the seconds before the announcement, employees listened with bated breath to hear whether the company would implement layoffs.
10. The author released the final book in the series, and readers turned the pages with bated breath to discover the conclusion of the epic story.
10 Quotes Using the Idiom
1. “With bated breath, the world watched as the historic event unfolded, marking a turning point in the course of history.” – Unknown
2. “Every artist awaits the critical reviews with bated breath, hoping their creation resonates with the audience and critics alike.” – Unknown
3. “As the announcement drew near, the political landscape held its collective breath with bated breath, anticipating the election results.” – Unknown
4. “In the quiet moments before the revelation, the detective and the suspect stared at each other with bated breath, each waiting for the truth to emerge.” – Unknown
5. “With bated breath, the audience sat through the gripping performance, captivated by the actor’s portrayal of raw emotion.” – Unknown
6. “The explorer approached the undiscovered cave with bated breath, eager to unveil the secrets hidden within its depths.” – Unknown
7. “With bated breath, the patient awaited the doctor’s diagnosis, hoping for positive news about their recovery.” – Unknown
8. “At the edge of the cliff, the thrill-seeker stood with bated breath, preparing to take the leap into the unknown.” – Unknown
9. “With bated breath, the community witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony, marking the commencement of a project that would reshape their town.” – Unknown
10. “As the clock ticked down, players and fans alike watched with bated breath, the outcome of the championship hanging in the balance.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter B
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter B. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘B’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the B-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter B.
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