breathing space

American  

[bree-thing speys] / ˈbri ðɪŋ ˌspeɪs /

noun

1. Also called breathing spell.  an opportunity to rest or think.

2. sufficient space in which to move, work, etc..

   The train was so crowded that there was hardly breathing space.

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breathing space British  

noun

1. enough area to permit freedom of movement

   the country gives us some breathing space

2. a pause for rest, etc

   a coffee break was their only breathing space

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breathing space Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of breathing space

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Some believe the arrest will give the Royal Family and the Palace some breathing space, and that the treatment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as just-another-suspect will lessen the damage done.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Desperate to buy himself some breathing space, Frank ignored the trend of Premier League managers resting their key players in the FA Cup by naming a strong line-up.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

Mr Black said the time gave him "breathing space".

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

Saeed al-Azzeh, head of the popular committee, confirmed the information, calling the space, "the only breathing space" for camp residents.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

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

Related Words

• breather
• breathing room