With bated breath idiom

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At the end of your tether because you are treated as a dogsbody? Falconry and the sea are two rich sources of English expressions. Quirky idioms have embellished everyday English language for centuries, as you will be aware if someone rubbed you up the wrong way recently by jumping the gun out of the blue. When hangry , bants and manspreading made it into the dictionary last month, it was further recognition of the creative new ways we find to communicate. The bird can become short of breath as it flies on the spot, waiting to be released by its handler.

With bated breath idiom

This child then becomes the one who does the chasing. Infinitive or -ing verb? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns 1. Add to word list Add to word list. I waited with bated breath as the results were read out. Translations of with bated breath. See more. Need a translator? Translator tool. Browse witch. About this. Blog Infinitive or -ing verb? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns 1 February 21, Read More.

English usage.

Log In. My Account. Candace Osmond. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction. Many writers, including JK Rowling and her publishers, get confused between bated breath and baited breath. The correct spelling is bated breath, meaning in a nervous or excited state.

Why is this a common idiom in American English? And where did it originate? When you are waiting for someone or something eagerly with a lot of expectation, then this phrase can be used. The word bate is an adjective that means being excited or anxious. It refers to a situation where there is a lot of anticipation and nervousness about something that is going to happen. For example, if you have participated in a competition and awaiting the results you will be waiting with bated breath. You are in a state of high excitement and are probably holding your breath as you wait.

With bated breath idiom

The idea being that one couldn't hold one's breath long enough for the unlikely thing to happen. If know you hope Monica comes to the meeting, but don't hold your breath—she hasn't been to one all year. The phrase suggests that one is breathing shallowly in anticipation of something. I've been waiting with bated breath to hear back from my first-choice school. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. Do not stop breathing waiting for something to happen that won't happen. Meaning that it will take longer for it to happen than you can possibly hold your breath.

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Password Please enter your Password. German grammar. The typical bait is a worm attached to a hook in fishing. Sign up now or Log in. English Dictionary Sentences Grammar. Can you solve 4 words at once? Definition of with bated breath from the Collins English Dictionary. Examples of 'with bated breath' in a sentence with bated breath. The noun bait means an item used to lure animals into traps. It can also be in the form of cheese, which one attaches to a mouse trap ready to catch mice.

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English Grammar in Spanish. Get Word of the Day daily email! Cite this Entry. English idioms. February 19, Recently viewed 0 Save Search. Buon appetito! Browse alphabetically with bated breath. Check See the answer Next Next quiz Review. Username Please enter your Username.