out of breath

Idioms and Phrases

Breathing with difficulty, panting, gasping. For example, After five flights of stairs I'm out of breath . This slightly hyperbolic term (since literally running out of breath means one is dead) dates from the late 1500s. Also see catch one's breath .

Example Sentences

She was out of breath and barely able to stand.

From National Geographic Kids

By the time I got to Gate 40, I was giddy from shock and out of breath.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ll swing as high as I can, as fast as possible, until I’m out of breath.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s a scene where Roz is running, and then it occurred to me, ‘Well, if I were running, I would be out of breath, but Roz is a robot, so she wouldn’t be out of breath,’ ” Nyong’o says.

From Los Angeles Times

He composes his songs at home - which are no longer than a minute long as he gets out of breath easily - and his sets last just 30 minutes.

From BBC