He paused, catching breath, chest heaving.

Meaning: The old man stopped for a moment to take a breath because his chest was moving up and down quickly.

Choice of Words: He is a pronoun referring to the old man. Paused means to stop for a short time. Catching means to take hold of something. Breath is the air that we breathe in and out. Chest is the front part of the body between the neck and the stomach. Heaving means rising and falling with effort.

Alternative Expressions

Related Expressions

• A shiver ran down his spine as he paused.
• He paused to admire the colorful blooms in the flowerbed.
• The cat paused thoughtfully.
• A heartbeat paused in its rhythm.
• World paused, listened in silence.
• The seeker paused, sensing something amiss.
• Silence reigned, nature's symphony paused in awe.
• They paused to admire the stunning sunset.
• Rain paused
• Fish leaped from water, catching fly.