take one's breath away

Idioms and Phrases

Astonish or shock one, with pleasure, surprise, or some other emotion. For example, That beautiful display just takes my breath away . This idiom alludes to the way one holds one's breath when overcome with sudden emotion. [Mid-1800s]

Related Words

• amaze
• astound
• awe
• bewilder
• confound
• confuse
• dazzle
• disconcert
• dismay
• dumbfound
• flabbergast
• overwhelm
• perplex
• rattle
• shock
• startle
• stun
• unsettle