breather
/'bri:ðə/
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.
Noun
-
air passage provided by a retractable device containing intake and exhaust pipes; permits a submarine to stay submerged for extended periods of time
-
a short respite
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