with bated breath

Idioms  

1. Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one's breath” (bate means “restrain”). Today it is also used somewhat ironically, indicating one is not all that eager or anxious. [Late 1500s] Also see hold one's breath, def. 2.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

with bated breath

My 8-year-old Lego-maniac son waited with bated breath for two new Lego Smart Play Star Wars sets—Luke’s X-wing and Darth Vader’s TIE fighter—to come in the mail.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

So I sent an email and waited with bated breath to see if I had finally found the smoked salmon.

From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026

He snatched provisional top spot in beautiful, sunny conditions, but could only watch with bated breath as his understudy took to the start hut.

From Barron's ● Feb. 7, 2026

Like the audience, Bell Media executives are waiting with bated breath for the next chapter of “Heated Rivalry.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026

Dabbing at his streaming nose, Filch squinted unpleasantly at Harry, who waited with bated breath for his sentence to fall.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling