in the same breath

Idioms  

1. Also, in one breath . At or almost at the same time. For example, Ed complains about having too much homework and in the same breath talks about going out every night , or The twins said, in one breath, “More cake, please.” [Mid-1800s]

2. not in the same breath . Not to be compared. For example, Karen's a good runner, but you can't speak of her in the same breath as an Olympic athlete . Also see in the same league .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the same breath

“Even though it was, in the same breath, really sad and kind of devastating. But it felt like my story to tell.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

"Don't put me in the same category as those two!" says Jay Lovell, taken aback as his name is mentioned in the same breath as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

Any cultural discussion of that era isn’t complete without mentioning them both in the same breath.

From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2026

It is a role that Cook, himself, has celebrated, talking about the role the iPhone has played in the same breath as what occurred earlier during the civil-rights movement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

Virtually in the same breath, I asked if she were allowed to have visitors at her convent.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger