huffed and puffed
Gasped with exertion
Huffed and puffed describes labored breathing from exertion, or making a big show of effort or indignation.
From the fairy tale wolf who threatens to blow houses down, it often suggests exaggerated or ineffectual effort: He huffed and puffed up the stairs.
She huffed and puffed about the new policy but eventually complied.
- pantedBreathed in labored gasps
- gaspedBreathed in sharply
- wheezedBreathed with difficulty
- heavy breathingLoud, effortful respiration
- short of breathUnable to breathe easily
breathing · frustrated · struggling · blowing off steam · angry · worked up · hot and bothered · red in the face · laboring · heaving · losing one's cool · impatient · annoyed · exhaling · out of breath · indignant · exasperated · irritated