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

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

AQ points are earned whenever physical activity raises your heart rate enough to make you slightly out of breath.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

In November 2021 she started noticing that she was constantly out of breath but was unable to get a diagnosis for some time.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

When they got to Placer Street—which they'd practically run to after figuring out the numbers—they stopped on the corner, out of breath, and organized the candy.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds