Bated breath first appeared in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice in 1605. Using a shortened form of abated, which means "stopped or reduced," the phrase refers to people holding their breath in …

Bated breath What's the meaning of the phrase 'Bated breath'? Breathing that is subdued because of some emotion or difficulty. ‘Waiting with bated breath’ is holding your breath in anticipation.

Feb 6, 2026 · The meaning of WITH BATED BREATH is in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen. How to use with bated breath in a sentence.

Sep 26, 2022 · Bated breath refers to holding one’s breath in excitement or anxiety. It refers to a situation where there is a lot of anticipation and nervousness about something that is going to happen.

WITH BATED BREATH definition: Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means “holding one's breath” (bate means “restrain”).

Jul 23, 2024 · The idiom “bated breath” has an interesting history rooted in English literature and language evolution. The phrase means holding one’s breath in anticipation or suspense, often with a …

Eagerly or anxiously, as in We waited for the announcement of the winner with bated breath. This expression literally means "holding one's breath" ( bate means "restrain").

Nov 2, 2019 · “Bated breath” is an idiomatic expression that means to wait anxiously or eagerly for something, often in suspense. It suggests that someone is holding their breath in anticipation of an …

Dec 2, 2025 · Q2: What does “bated breath” mean? A2: It means holding your breath due to anxiety, excitement, or intense anticipation, often with subdued or restrained breathing.

Oct 15, 2025 · Simply put, " bated breath " means holding your breath with anticipation or anxiety, whereas " baited breath " is a common mispronunciation and misspelling that has crept into usage …