breathing space
Americannoun
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Also called breathing spell. an opportunity to rest or think.
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sufficient space in which to move, work, etc..
The train was so crowded that there was hardly breathing space.
noun
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enough area to permit freedom of movement
the country gives us some breathing space
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a pause for rest, etc
a coffee break was their only breathing space
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Room or time in which to breathe, as in In that crowded hall, there was hardly any breathing space . Previously this term was put as breathing room . [Mid-1600s]
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A rest or pause. For example, I can't work at this all day; I need some breathing space . This usage replaced the earlier breathing while . [Mid-1600s]
Etymology
Origin of breathing space
First recorded in 1640–50
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.
They must also be taking note of the breathing space China has given itself by electrifying its transport fleet and diversifying its energy sources.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
The government says the policy, which is expected to cost more than £500m, will "help with the cost of living and give people the breathing space they need".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
"Falling inflation is news families want to hear but there is much more to do to give people the breathing space they need," said newly appointed finance minister John Healey.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised to set out how he will "give people some breathing space, help with the cost of living," including cutting VAT on electricity bills from October.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
His response to the mounting demands was not to reorder priorities to give his staff and graduate students some breathing space, but to add a late-night shift to keep the cyclotron running around the clock.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
