catch breath
Gasp then rest
To catch one's breath is to pause and rest until breathing returns to normal after exertion: Let me catch my breath before we climb the next hill.
The phrase also describes a moment of startled pause—when something surprising or beautiful makes you stop short: The view made me catch my breath.
- exhaleExpel breath outward
- gaspSudden sharp breath
- windedShort of breath
- restCessation of activity
- take fiveBrief rest period
pause · huff · heart pounding · sigh · regroup · respite · compose · heave · recover · second wind · stabilize · air · reprieve · chest · lungs · respiration · stop · slow down
- breathinginhalation, exhalation, inhale, exhale, respiration
- fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
catch breathpush through
Continue despite resistance
press on · overexert · hyperventilate · pant
catch breathpush on
Continue despite obstacles
forge ahead · keep going · power through · press forward · soldier on
catch, breath, catches, catching, caught, catcher, catchy, breathe, breaths