(like) 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.
breath of fresh air
1. Lit. an influx of air that is not stale or smelly, especially from outdoors. You look ill, John. What you need is a breath of fresh air.
2. Fig. a portion of air that is not "contaminated" with unpleasant people or situations. (This is a sarcastic version of {2}.) You people are disgusting. I have to get out of here and get a breath of fresh air. I believe I'll go get a breath of fresh air. The intellectual atmosphere in here is stifling.
3. Fig. a new, fresh, and imaginative approach (to something). (Usually with like.) Sally, with all her wonderful ideas, is a breath of fresh air. The decor in this room is like a breath of fresh air.
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
breath of fresh air
New and refreshing, as in His arrival was like a breath of fresh air. This term transfers the idea of fresh air to a new approach or welcome arrival, and has largely replaced both the earlier breath of heaven and breath of spring, although the latter is still heard occasionally. [Mid-1800s]
See also: air, breath, fresh, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
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
- 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