breathe life into

Related to breathe life into: settle in, fill the void

breathe (new) life into (someone or something)

1. Literally, to revive someone who is not breathing, as by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation The lifeguard was able to pull the drowning boy from the pool and breathe life into him, thank goodness.
2. By extension, to revitalize something that has become dull or stale. The new CEO's creative approach really breathed new life into that failing company.
See also: breathe, life
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

breathe life into

Also, breathe new life into. Revive someone or something. For example, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shows one how to breathe life into a drowning victim , or Her appointment breathed new life into the firm. This term is used both literally, for reviving a person who has stopped breathing temporarily, and figuratively, for giving new impetus to or renewing some project. Also see breath of fresh air.
See also: breathe, life
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • breathe (new) life into (someone or something)
  • breathe life into something
  • put words in (one's) mouth
  • put words in mouth
  • put words in someone's mouth
  • put words in/into somebody's mouth
  • put words into someone's mouth, to
  • put words into (one's) mouth
  • put words into someone's mouth
  • take the words out of mouth
References in periodicals archive
The planned demolitions are part of a Government-backed Pathfinder scheme to breathe life into Tyneside's housing market.
People urged to fight plans
In a chequered career spanning more than 60 years, Jensen has had more suitors than Elizabeth Taylor, and the gawky SV8 was the most recent attempt to breathe life into the troubled Birmingham car-maker.
Rear View Mirror: Jensen SV8
Destination Liverpool looks at the past experiences of older people who will produce an art exhibition, while young people breathe life into the memories in a drama production.
Memories span the generations
People can have their say on plans to breathe life into historic gardens on Teesside.
Gardens can grow
Schwarz-Bart's talent as a novelist help breathe life into every page.
In Praise of Black Women, Volume 2: Heroines of the Slavery Era
A search has been launched for a future child star who could breathe life into the fictional young wizard Harry Potter.
Post Script
Yet they didn't breathe life into Kenneth MacMillan's Las Hermanas.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Summary: DOHA - Energy-rich Qatar agreed to invest as much as 1 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in Italian companies on Monday, aiding efforts by Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti to breathe life into a weak economy.
Italy's Monti seals investment deal with Qatar
CO-OP is banking on Mervyn King to breathe life into its funeral business.
your money: GAME'S OVER
The 45.5 per cent year-on-year growth will help breathe life into the flagging music and video retail sector, according to market analysts Verdict.
Download music sales set to soar
Michael Gambon, Albert Finney, Romola Garai and Rufus Sewell breathe life into their characters.
The rights of man; AMAZING GRACE *** PG
DESPERATE to breathe life into the moribund Vectra range, Vauxhall have unveiled a VXR version.
Rear View Mirror: Hot VXR Vectra is so uncool
As part of the development, single persons' flats in Druridge Crescent are to be demolished to kick-start work, which is hoped will breathe life into the South Shields estate.
Lease of life
If the goal of Essence Books Editor Patrik Henry Bass is to breathe life into his recounting of the 1963 March on Washington, one of the most significant events of the Civil Rights Movement, he definitely achieves his mission by using previously unavailable interviews, reportage, photos and behind-the-scenes commentary in his new book, Like a Mighty Stream: The March on Washington August 28, 1963.
Like a Mighty Stream: the March on Washington August 28, 1963