hold breath

hold (one's) breath

1. To intentionally stop breathing for a short period of time. I can't hold my breath for very long, so I doubt I'll be able to swim down deep enough to grab the rings.
2. To wait for something specific to happen. In this usage, the phrase is usually used in the negative. The electrician said he'd be here before noon, but I won't hold my breath. She wrote a letter of complaint to the airline asking for a refund, but she said she isn't holding her breath.
See also: breath, hold
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold one's breath

 
1. Lit. to stop breathing for a short period, on purpose. Do you hold your breath when you dive into the water? I can't hold my breath for very long.
2. Fig. to wait or delay until something special happens. (Usually in the negative. See also Don't hold your breath.) I expect the mail to be delivered soon, but I'm not holding my breath. It's often late.
See also: breath, hold
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • get into (one's) head
  • get into one's head
  • get into someone's head
  • cut school
  • deface
  • deface (something) with (something)
  • deface with
  • cut class
  • eavesdrop on
  • eavesdrop on (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
The risk also increases if the patient was uncooperative or he or she coughs or cannot hold breath. Implantation of tumor cells in the path of needle tracts was experienced only in one patient in Sinner's series of 5300 patients.
Ultrasound guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions
Remember that you need to breathe in and out throughout and not hold breath in one position.
Twist your way to a TIGHT tummy
Kuwait Times .-- Islamists warn govt over donations ban.-- Customs makes huge liquor bust.-- Saudis hold breath on Blackberry ban.Arab Times .-- Kuwait's Zain Q2 net profit soars to USD 2.95 bln.-- Kuwait, Iraq near deal on oilfields.-- Floods worse than 2004 tsunami: UN.Al-Watan Daily .-- Projects financing bill to be endorsed today.-- Local banks unite to avoid part in development projects.-- KRCS collects donations for flood stricken people in Pakistan.-- Security agreement to combat terrorism signed by Kuwait, UK.-- Ministry of Electricity urge rationing during Ramadan.-- Netanyahu testifies about violence on Turkish ship.
Headlines of Kuwaiti English dailies issued Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Sniffers are packaged to look like bags of candy, and the breath mints come in square tins that look like those that hold breath mints for humans.
Dogged pursuit: with unique products and even more unique merchandising, Dave's Marketplace has retrieved its pet category sales in a competitive market
* Instruct patient on Valsalva maneuver (inhale, hold breath, or bear down) or if Valsalva maneuver is contraindicated, have patient exhale.
Preventing air embolism when removing CVCs: an evidence-based approach to changing practice. (CE Series)
PRECAUTIONS breathe carefully and evenly do not hold breath at any point, if uncomfortable stop.
Yoga exercises to calm your body and mind