Catch one's breath
English Idiom
Meaning: To take a moment to rest or regain normal breathing, especially after physical exertion or a surprising event. It can also mean taking a short break to recover from a busy schedule or stress.
Origin: The idiom 'Catch one's breath' has its roots in the late 18th century when it was used to describe the act of pausing to recover from physical exertion. Over time, its usage extended to include emotional and mental recovery as well. The phrase captures the natural human need to pause and regain composure.
Examples
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After sprinting to the bus stop, John had to lean against the pole to catch his breath.
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The news was so shocking that she had to sit down and catch her breath before she could respond.
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During the intense debate, he paused for a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.
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After hours of non-stop meetings, Maria took a short walk outside to catch her breath.
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The mountain climbers stopped halfway up the trail to catch their breath and hydrate.
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After the unexpected applause, the speaker took a moment to catch his breath before continuing his speech.
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Running after the playful dog left him needing to sit on the park bench to catch his breath.
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The marathon runner crossed the finish line, then bent over to catch her breath amid the cheers of the crowd.
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After dealing with back-to-back crises at work, he needed a weekend getaway to catch his breath.
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Following the rollercoaster ride, they both had to catch their breath before going on the next one.