Breathe-down-someone-s-neck


to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.
(in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.
to pause, as for breath; take rest:
How about giving me a chance to breathe?
to move gently or blow lightly, as air.
to live; exist:
Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.
to be redolent of.
(of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily:
The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.
(of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.
(of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.
to inhale and exhale in respiration.
to exhale:
Dragons breathe fire.
to inject as if by breathing; infuse:
She breathed life into the party.
to give utterance to; whisper.
to express; manifest.
to allow to rest or recover breath:
to breathe a horse.
to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.
to cause to pant; exercise.
breathe down someone’s neck,

to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten:
Police from four states were breathing down his neck.
to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control:
If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?

breathe freely, to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure:
Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely.
Also, breathe easily, breathe easy.
breathe one’s last, to die:
He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.
not breathe a word / syllable, to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential:
I’ll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.
verb
to take in oxygen from (the surrounding medium, esp air) and give out carbon dioxide; respire
(intransitive) to exist; be alive: every animal that breathes on earth
(intransitive) to rest to regain breath, composure, etc: stop your questions, and give me a chance to breathe
(intransitive) (esp of air) to blow lightly: the wind breathed through the trees
(intransitive) (machinery)

to take in air, esp for combustion: the engine breathes through this air filter
to equalize the pressure within a container, chamber, etc, with atmospheric pressure: the crankcase breathes through this duct

(transitive) (phonetics) to articulate (a speech sound) without vibration of the vocal cords Compare voice (sense 19)
to exhale or emit: the dragon breathed fire
(transitive) to impart; instil: to breathe confidence into the actors
(transitive) to speak softly; whisper: to breathe words of love
(transitive) to permit to rest: to breathe a horse
(intransitive) (of a material) to allow air to pass through so that perspiration can evaporate
breathe again, breathe freely, breathe easily, to feel relief: I could breathe again after passing the exam
breathe down someone’s neck, to stay close to someone, esp to oversee what they are doing: the cops are breathing down my neck
breathe one’s last, to die or be finished or defeated
v.
Pursue someone closely; pose a threat to one, as in The immigration authorities were breathing down his neck. [ Mid-1900s ]
Watch or supervise someone very closely, as in The boss is always breathing down our necks. [ Mid-1900s ]

breathe down someone’s neck
breathe easy
breathe life into
breathe one’s last

Read Also:

  • Breathe--easy

    to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe? to move gently or blow lightly, as air. to live; exist: Hardly […]

  • Breathe-last

    to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe? to move gently or blow lightly, as air. to live; exist: Hardly […]

  • Breathe-life-into

    Also, breathe new life into . Revive someone or something. For example, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shows one how to breathe life into a drowning victim , or Her appointment breathed new life into the firm . This term is used both literally, for reviving a person who has stopped breathing temporarily, and figuratively, for giving […]

  • Breathe-one-s-last

    to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe? to move gently or blow lightly, as air. to live; exist: Hardly […]

  • Breathed

    not phonated; unvoiced; voiceless. utilizing the breath exclusively in the production of a speech sound. to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a […]


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