| [/breθ; brɛθ/] n 用法:
1 (a) [U] (also infml语亦作 puff) air taken into and sent out of the lungs （呼吸的）空气:
You can see people's breath on a cold day. 冷天能看到人们呼出的空气. *
His breath smelt of garlic. 他呼出的气中有蒜味.
(b) [C] single act of taking air into the lungs 吸气:
take a deep breath, ie fill the lungs with air 深吸一口气. 用法:
2 ~ of sth [sing] slight movement of air; gently blowing （空气的）轻微流动; 微风:
There wasn't a breath of air/wind. 一点儿风都没有. 用法:
3 ~ of sth [sing] (fig 比喻) slight suggestion or rumour of sth; hint of sth 迹象; 暗示:
a breath of scandal 一丝流言蜚语 *
the first breath of spring 早春的气息. 用法:
4 (idm 习语) a breath of fresh air (a) opportunity to breathe clean air, esp out of doors 呼吸新鲜空气的机会（尤指户外）.
(b) person or thing that is a welcome and refreshing change 带来起色的人或事物:
Her smile is a breath of fresh air in this gloomy office. 她的微笑给沉闷的办公室带来生气. the breath of `life (to/for sb) thing that stimulates or inspires (sb); thing that is necessary (to sb) （某人的）精神支柱; （某人）必不可少的东西:
Religion is the breath of life to/for her. 宗教是她不可或缺的精神支柱. catch one's breath => catch1. draw breath => draw2. draw one's first/last breath => draw2. get one's `breath (again/back) return to one's normal rate of breathing 恢复正常呼吸:
It took us a few minutes to get our breath back after the race. 赛跑後我们用了好几分钟才恢复了正常呼吸. hold one's `breath stop breathing for a short time (eg during a medical examination or from fear or excitement) 暂时屏住呼吸（如体检时或因恐惧、激动）:
How long can you hold your breath for? 你能屏住呼吸多久? *
The audience held its/their breath as the acrobat walked along the tightrope. 杂技演员走钢丝时, 观众都屏住了呼吸. in the same breath => same. lose one's breath => lose. one's last/dying `breath last moment of one's life 临终. (be) out of/short of `breath breathing very quickly (eg after running fast); panting hard 呼吸急促（如快跑以後）; 喘不过气来; 上气不接下气:
His heart condition makes him sh |