catch one's breath; get a breather
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to catch one's breath; to take a breather
neutralCommonly used after strenuous physical exertion, competition, or demanding tasks. Often appears in phrases like "不给...缓气的机会".
Gāng刚
pǎo跑
wán完
wǔ五
qiān千
mǐ米
，
tā他
xū需
yào要
zuò坐
xià下
lái来
huǎn缓
kǒu口
qì气
。
He just finished a five-kilometer run and needs to sit down to catch his breath.
Wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
chéng乘
shèng胜
zhuī追
jī击
，
bù不
gěi给
dí敌
rén人
huǎn缓
qì气
de的
jī机
huì会
。
We must press the attack while we have the advantage and not give the enemy a chance to catch their breath.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Gōng工
zuò作
le了
yī一
shàng上
wǔ午
，
lián连
huǎn缓
kǒu口
qì气
de的
shí时
jiān间
dōu都
méi没
yǒu有
。
I've been working all morning without even a moment to catch my breath.
Bǐ比
sài赛
fēi非
cháng常
jī激
liè烈
，
liǎng两
duì队
dōu都
méi没
yǒu有
huǎn缓
qì气
de的
yú余
dì地
。
The match is so intense that neither team has any room to get a breather.