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.

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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

"There are moments that feel incredibly heightened - you're out of breath, facing elements of hysteria - but it's brilliant."

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2025

When he arrived for his news conference to look ahead to Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Dutch side Feyenoord, Guardiola was a bit out of breath.

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2024

A gust of wind flies in and then two women run in, disheveled and out of breath.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse