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3. in the same breath

in the same breath

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in the same breath

Fig. [stated or said] almost at the same time. He told me I was lazy, but then in the same breath he said I was doing a good job. The teacher said that the students were working hard and, in the same breath, that they were not working hard enough.

See also: breath, same

in the same breath

at the same time How can you say that you are against the death penalty but in the same breath say we may need to use it now?

Usage notes: said when comparing two statements that seem to have opposite meanings

See also: breath, same

in the same breath

 

1. if you say two things in the same breath, you say two things that are so different that if one is true the other must be false She said she didn't love him any more but in the same breath said how wonderful he was.

2. if you talk about two people or things in the same breath, you think they are very similar (often + as ) He's a relatively new director but his name has been mentioned in the same breath as Hitchcock.

See also: breath, same

in the same breath

1. Also, in one breath. At or almost at the same time. For example, Ed complains about having too much homework and in the same breath talks about going out every night , or The twins said, in one breath, "More cake, please." [Mid-1800s]

2. not in the same breath. Not to be compared. For example, Karen's a good runner, but you can't speak of her in the same breath as an Olympic athlete . Also see in the same league.

See also: breath, same