dry heave

American  

[drahy heev] / ˈdraɪ ˈhiv /

Or dry-heave

verb (used without object)

1. to make an involuntary effort to vomit, but without bringing anything up; retch.

   I dry heave every time I think back to that awful incident.

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Etymology

Origin of dry heave

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

It was too much for him to see Pond crying and moaning while dry heaving.

From Literature

“Conventions were a center of my life for a while, and now the idea of being in a vendor hall with that many people makes me want to dry heave,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, without warning, I pretend to dry heave, then burst into a fit of coughs.

From Literature

He thought of Pond, fully healed, no longer dry heaving or coughing.

From Literature

Related Words

• eject
• gag
• heave
• regurgitate