① out of breath喘氣;上氣不接下氣(breathless)。
He is out of breath. 他上氣不接下氣。
② in a/one breath齊聲地,立刻,瞬間,一口氣。
They screamed all in a breath. 他們齊聲尖叫。
In a breath the street was empty. 轉(zhuǎn)眼之間街上就空無一人了。
③ catch one's breath屏住呼吸,歇一口氣。
The story is full of surprises which cause the reader to catch his breath. 這個故事充滿了驚險恐怖,使讀者緊張得透不過氣來。
After running to the bus stop we sat down to catch our breath. 我們跑到汽車站后坐下來喘了口氣。
④ under one's breath 低聲地。
She uttered something under her breath when her boss criticized her. 老板批評她時,她低聲說了些話。