breath of fresh air

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

If any one of them was still back at the farm, filling his or her lungs with deep breaths of fresh air, then I wouldn’t have to be standing here right now.

From Literature

“It was a breath of fresh air,” Morris said.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Stokes and McCullum took over, their attitude was a breath of fresh air.

From BBC

President Samia, who had been vice-president, seemed like a breath of fresh air - and with her warmer and friendlier style, she initiated reforms that seemed to represent a radical departure from her predecessor's policies.

From BBC

It's a breath of fresh air to see teams like Bournemouth and Sunderland exceeding expectations at the top of the Premier League - and I would include Tottenham in that list of over-achievers too.

From BBC

Related Words

• excursion
• ramble