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- hold breath
hold breath
hold one's breath
1. Lit. to stop breathing for a short period, on purpose. Do you hold your breath when you dive into the water? I can't hold my breath for very long.
2. Fig. to wait or delay until something special happens. (Usually in the negative. See also Don't hold your breath.) I expect the mail to be delivered soon, but I'm not holding my breath. It's often late.
hold your breath
to wait for something I've been just holding my breath and hoping they'll call me back for an interview.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of hold your breath (to stop breathing)