catch one's breath
Resume normal breathing after physical exertion of some kind, as in These stairs are steep; wait a minute till I catch my breath. This phrase once meant the same as hold one's breath—that is, stop breathing momentarily—a usage no longer current. [Early 1800s]
Relax, take a rest, as in Events have been moving so fast I'd like to stop and catch my breath. [First half of 1900s]
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Words nearby catch one's breath
catchment area, Catchment board, catch napping, catch off guard, catch on, catch one's breath, catch one's death (of cold), catch out, catchpenny, catch phrase, catch pit
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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