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.

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
  • a 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 periodicals archive
Breath of Fresh Air stands on the principal of spreading knowledge that is beneficial to the well-being of the community.
Alkaline Water Company, Breath of Fresh Air Product, Changing the Way Consumers Drink Water
He said that by comparison with the United States "you would see what a breath of fresh air it is here".
NEWS DIGEST: Gore praise
Every page of his book has a little boxed quote that invigorates the text like a breath of fresh air. Such as this soft poke in the (Adam's?) rib of conservatives, "If the human body is obscene, complain to the manufacturer!" These barbs keep the text moving and the mood hopeful and upbeat despite the subject matter.
Sex, Lies, & Politics: the Naked Truth
In particular, for those who cut their Old Testament teeth on something similar to John Bright's A History of Israel, a book resting peacefully on many a shelf, this introduction offers a breath of fresh air.
A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament
(Go to www.taubmanseminar.com for more information.) Some of the comments of those in attendance at the first seminar were: "This was a breath of fresh air." "Taubman is a miracle." "To see her in action was an unforgettable experience." "Start looking for another location because you will outgrow this one immediately."
My "super teacher": Dorothy Taubman
Forced by heat and smoke to leave for a breath of fresh air, she enlisted the help of a neighbor and a bystander who had arrived at the scene.
Heroic mail-carrying mom
But reiterating the existence of American imperialism in clear visual terms from within our historical moment is a rare breath of fresh air.
Joyce Kozloff: DC Moore
The document destruction service industry has proliferated to a point that a new, more efficient shredding technology is a sorely needed breath of fresh air. Our shredding concept has opened up many new doors for our customers.
Vecoplan adds ReTech[TM] line of single-shaft rotary paper shredders
By offering more than a simplistic view of African American fraternities and sororities on college campuses as antiquated, elitist or violent, Black Greek 101 is a breath of fresh air.
Black Greek 101: the Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities
With delicately grooved and laminated seat and backrest, Runner is a breath of fresh air in the cafeteria, the conference or meeting room--and is ideal as a guest chair.
Runner
For parents tired of carbon copy cut 'n' style dolls, Kailey, the newest American Girl Today, will be a breath of fresh air. Kailey is a boogie boarder from California who stars in the colorful accompanying book of the same name, by Amy Goldman Koss (Pleasant Company Publications, $6.95; doll and book together, $84).
Cove crusader (with accessories)
The caption below the title "the Courage to be pro-life" is a refreshing breath of fresh air to those dedicated men, women and children who care about the most defenceless persons being destroyed in their mothers' wombs.
From Jim Glover re Show the Truth. (Letters to the Editor)
She is a prophetic breath of fresh air in the Catholic Church.
Standing ready. (Letters)
It may be a case of "been down so long it looks like up to me," but after suffering through painful mergers, production cuts, and downsizing, it seems like a breath of fresh air. The second quarter of 2002 saw several paper companies reporting that elusive quarry: profit gains.
The comeback kid
I told him about how I felt about George Bush being bought and sold by the energy industry in the United States and trying to decimate the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the only thing between us and some future breath of fresh air. George is worse than Ronald Reagan who once claimed trees were a serious environmental hazard.
Dinosaurs, SUVs and a long hot summer