a breath of fresh air

(like) a breath of fresh air

Refreshingly new, different, and pleasing. After dating a series of boring men, Tom's adventurous nature was like a breath of fresh air to Sarah. The beautiful new paint color is a breath of fresh air for the house.
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a breath of fresh air

COMMON If you describe someone or something as a breath of fresh air, you mean that they are pleasantly different from what you are used to. I think you're a great family and I'm glad I'm going to join you. After the stuffy conversation we have at our dinner table, this is like a breath of fresh air. Brian never wanted to do anything. Life was stagnant. So Mike, my present husband, was a breath of fresh air.
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a breath of fresh air

1 a small amount of or a brief time in the fresh air. 2 a refreshing change, especially a new person on the scene.
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a breath of fresh ˈair

a person or thing that is new and different and therefore interesting and exciting: Having these young people living with us is like a breath of fresh air after years on our own.
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

breath of fresh air, (like) a

Refreshing and new. Formerly expressed as (like) a breath of heaven or spring, this term became current in the mid-nineteenth century. “Her arrival on the scene was like a breath of fresh air,” wrote W. Somerset Maugham (Cakes and Ale, 1930).
See also: breath, fresh, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (like) a breath of fresh air
  • breath of fresh air
  • out of breath
  • stupid fresh
  • seem like
  • seem like (something)
  • hard on the eyes
  • it's the berries
  • the cat's whiskers
  • golden
References in classic literature
That evening I went out merely to get a breath of fresh air, but one thing followed another-- the weather was cold, all nature was looking mournful, and I had fallen in with Emelia.
Poor Folk
When you get right down to it, plants bring a breath of fresh air to your rooms like nothing else can."
READ IT
According to the Forum, the emergence of Atiku as PDP presidential candidate in a keenly contested primary, which was adjudged as a free and fair process, is a breath of fresh air to the democratic project in Nigeria which appeared threatened by manipulation of processes in intra-party conduct and general elections.
Convention: SMBLF congratulates Atiku, PDP
'Not being pro USA and anti-China, the presence of USS Carl Vinson in the West Philippine Sea is a breath of fresh air for those of us, pro Philippines,' Lacson tweeted Friday.
Lacson: Presence of US aircraft carrier in South China Sea a 'breath of fresh air'
Speaking ahead of tonight's Preston clash, he said: "It has been a breath of fresh air for me in recent weeks, because I did not get many opportunities under the old manager.
CLOUGH FINDS CLEAN AIR
It's a breath of fresh air in the cluttered world of local advertising especially that of the cliched messages in Pakistani lawn ads.
Gul Ahmed's TVC speaks from heart of brand
I think Mr Corbyn is a breath of fresh air. His attitude is different.
Will Labour accept Corbyn once he has won again?
"It was such a breath of fresh air that he was staying, I think that was the same for everyone as well, especially the fans and also the staff.
Newcastle United must avoid complacency in the Championship, says Jamaal Lascelles; Jamaal Lascelles has warned his Newcastle teammates about the tough demands of the Championship, but believes the club are in safe hands
The Englishman saluted the Borders ace and said: "Gary has been a breath of fresh air for darts, a new star, and it has been brilliant to see.
GARY'S MADE ME WANT TO BE THE BEST; James salutes inspirational Ando
Thanks to Banrock Station's support, these volunteer activities in the Greater Yellowstone Area offer people the opportunity to help the whitebark pine and to get a breath of fresh air.
Jami westerhold, director of forest restoration
Asian American star Jeremy Lin is ready to open a new chapter of his basketball career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, calling the trade that sent him to Hollywood a breath of fresh air.
Jeremy Lin Happy Houston Rockets Sent Him To LA Lakers
SUSPECTS (Channel 5, Wednesday, dnesday, dnesday 10pm) THIS cops and robbers drama turnedout to be a breath of fresh air when it debuted in January with the cast including Fay Ripley, pley, pley Clare-Hope Ashitey and Damien Molony creating their own dialogue based on a detailed plot description.
best crime drama
It truly is a breath of fresh air to know the best pitcher on the team is also the hardest working guy on the team.''
Lester starts today for A's; Southpaw admits it was difficult to leave Boston
MICHAEL Platini has formally declared that he no longer supports Sepp Blatter as Fifa president, saying the world governing body needs "a breath of fresh air".
Platini won't support Blatter move
Meanwhile, following a schools production of A Breath of Fresh Air - a show which highlights the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning - Theatr na nOg is performing the drama at venues further afield.
Play sheds light on intellectual giant; In focus