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Synonyms

breathe life into

Idioms  

  1. Also, breathe new life into. Revive someone or something. For example, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shows one how to breathe life into a drowning victim, or Her appointment breathed new life into the firm. This term is used both literally, for reviving a person who has stopped breathing temporarily, and figuratively, for giving new impetus to or renewing some project. Also see breath of fresh air.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Targeted public safety investments like this,” she said, “help breathe life into our city budget and greater Los Angeles economy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The artificial intelligence-led boom in U.S. productivity is making it harder for the Federal Reserve to breathe life into a languishing labor market.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

To make the lines stand out, the nanny breathes on the glass, suggesting her love has helped to breathe life into the girl.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Captain Harry Brook hit a superb first one-day international century as England beat Australia in the third match to breathe life into their new era of white-ball cricket.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2024

The voices and the laughter and the music breathe life into the sullen walls.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.