baited breath
Anxious, suspended breathing
A common misspelling of *bated breath*, where *bated* is a shortened form of *abated*—meaning restrained or held.
The phrase describes anxious anticipation, as when someone holds their breath in suspense: We waited with bated breath for the results.
The spelling *baited* suggests breath lured with a hook, which makes no sense but appears frequently.
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- waiting gameStrategy of deliberate delay
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- eagerIntensely wanting something
on edge · anxious · pins and needles · tense · on tenterhooks · expectant · held · pause · silence · moment · edge · edge of seat · nervous · nail biting · excitement · hushed · still · watching
- word errorseggcorn, malapropism, could of, would of, for all intensive purposes
- Shakespeare phrasesto be or not to be, et tu Brute, all the world's a stage, out damned spot, friends Romans countrymen
baited breathsigh of relief
Exhale expressing released tension
deep relaxation · tranquility · composure · serenity · equanimity
baited breathcouldn't care less
Complete absence of concern
apathy · unconcern · nonchalance · indifference · disinterest
bated, breath, bate, breathe, breaths, breathless, breathlessly, breathing, breather