be holding your breath
be holding (one's) breath
To be waiting expectantly for something specific to happen. The phrase often has a negative connotation. The electrician said he'd be here before noon, but I'm not holding my breath. She wrote a letter of complaint to the airline asking for a refund, but she isn't holding her breath for a response.
See also: breath, holding
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be holding your breath
COMMON If you are holding your breath, you are waiting anxiously or excitedly to see what happens next. She had been holding her breath and hoping that the agreement would be signed. The world is holding its breath as we begin to negotiate the future of our country. Note: You can also say that you aren't holding your breath to mean that you are not expecting a particular thing to happen, or you can say don't hold your breath to tell someone that they should not expect something to happen. `I'm not holding my breath', he admits. `There are no guarantees in this game.' The Chancellor has predicted Britain will drag itself out of the slump — but don't hold your breath, because he doesn't know when.
See also: breath, holding
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- be holding (one's) breath
- be waiting for the other shoe to drop
- follow the crowd
- follow/go with the crowd
- go with the crowd
- not hold (one's) breath
- fudge the issue
- (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
- be at (one's) beck and call
- be at someone's beck and call