breather

/'bri:ðə/

Thân thiện

The submarine's snorkel provides a vital breather while submerged.

Definition

Noun: 1. A short rest or break from an activity: A brief pause to recover one's breath or energy. 2. A device or opening that allows air to pass: A mechanical or structural component that permits ventilation or air exchange.

Usage

• As a short rest:
  • Used to indicate taking a brief pause during physical exertion or demanding work.
  • Often follows verbs like "take," "have," or "need."
• As a ventilation device:
  • Used in technical contexts related to machinery, engines, or enclosed spaces.

Examples

• As a short rest:
  • After climbing the steep hill, we stopped to take a breather.
  • The meeting has been intense; let's have a five-minute breather.
• As a ventilation device:
  • The engine's crankcase is equipped with a breather to release pressure.
  • Make sure the breather tube on the fuel tank is not blocked.

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a breather": To allow someone a short period of rest or relief from pressure.
  • The manager gave the team a breather after completing the major project phase.
• "A much-needed breather": Emphasizes that the break is necessary and restorative.
  • The holiday weekend was a much-needed breather from the hectic work schedule.

Variants and Related Words

• Breathe (verb): To take air into the lungs and expel it.
• Breath (noun): The air taken into or expelled from the lungs.
• Breathing (noun): The process of taking air into the lungs.

Synonyms

• Break: A short period of rest.
• Respite: A short interval of rest or relief.
• Rest: Ceasing work or movement to relax.
• Pause: A temporary stop in action or speech.
• Vent: An opening that allows air, gas, or liquid to pass out.

Related Phrases

• Catch one's breath: To pause to restore normal breathing after exertion.
  • He had to stop running to catch his breath.
• Out of breath: Breathing with difficulty, typically after exercise.
  • She was out of breath after the sprint.

Idioms

• A breather space: A short period allowing time to think or act without pressure. (Note: More commonly expressed as "breathing space").
  • The extension on the deadline gave us some breather space to fix the errors.

Học thuật

Noun

1. air passage provided by a retractable device containing intake and exhaust pipes; permits a submarine to stay submerged for extended periods of time
2. a short respite

Từ đồng nghĩa

• snorkel
• schnorkel
• schnorchel
• snorkel breather
• breath
• breathing place
• breathing space
• breathing spell
• breathing time