with bated breath

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Liverpool fans - and the world of football in general - will be waiting to find out the next installment with bated breath.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025

They had to keep retreating into the shadows of a gateway, ducking down behind a wall, or climbing through a window and waiting with bated breath for the guard to pass by.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023