Breaths held.

Meaning: This means the subject is holding their breath, often indicating suspense, anticipation, or concentration. It's like saying, They stopped breathing for a moment.

Choice of Words: Breaths are the actions of inhaling and exhaling air, while held is the past tense of the verb 'to hold', indicating that someone has stopped their breathing momentarily. This may suggest suspense, anticipation, or concentration.

Alternative Expressions

Everyone stop breathing.

Meaning: This means to ask everyone to hold their breath and not let any air in or out.

Choice of Words: This sentence uses the imperative form of the verb stop to indicate that the speaker is giving an order or instruction. The verb breathe refers to the process of taking in and releasing air. When these words are combined, the sentence becomes a direct command to everyone present to cease breathing.

The wind held its breath.

Meaning: This means that the wind has stopped blowing for a short time.

Choice of Words: The sentence uses the verb hold in a figurative sense, ascribing human-like qualities to the wind. Breath is used metaphorically to represent the movement of air. By saying that the wind held its breath, the sentence suggests that the wind has temporarily stopped blowing.

Related Expressions