out of breath

Idioms  

1. Breathing with difficulty, panting, gasping. For example, After five flights of stairs I'm out of breath. This slightly hyperbolic term (since literally running out of breath means one is dead) dates from the late 1500s. Also see catch one's breath.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out of breath

I was out of breath because I was pedaling at my regular cadence, but each stroke had a lot more power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

The activity needs to be strenuous enough to leave you noticeably out of breath.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2026

I don't feel myself, I can't do anything and it is not normal for me to be out of breath all of the time'.

From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026

I arrived at Room 315 on time and out of breath.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2025

But she could hear Mama huffing as if out of breath.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata