breathing space

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breathing space

They moved the furniture apart to create more breathing space in the small room.

Definition

Noun: 1. A period of rest or relief from something difficult or demanding; a respite. This is the primary meaning, referring to a temporary pause that allows one to recover, think, or prepare before continuing. 2. Sufficient physical room to move or breathe comfortably. This is a more literal meaning, referring to physical space that is not cramped or confined.

Usage and Examples

  • Noun (Respite):

    • The extension on the project deadline gave us some much-needed breathing space to fix the errors.
    • After the intense negotiations, both sides agreed to a weekend break for breathing space.
    • She took a year off between jobs to create some financial breathing space.

  • Noun (Physical Room):

    • The new office layout provides more breathing space between desks.
    • We need to thin out these seedlings to give the plants more breathing space to grow.
Advanced Usage
  • "to give/allow/offer/provide breathing space": This is a common collocation where an entity (a person, decision, or event) grants the period of relief or room.
    • The loan from his parents gave him the financial breathing space to start his business.
  • "some/a little/much-needed breathing space": These phrases are often used to describe the amount or type of respite needed.
    • The ceasefire provided a little breathing space for aid to reach the civilians.
Variants and Related Words
  • Breathing room (noun): This is a direct synonym and can be used interchangeably with "breathing space" in both its literal and figurative senses.
    • The merger will allow the company breathing room to restructure its debt.
Synonyms
  • Respite: A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
  • Room to maneuver: Flexibility or freedom to act.
  • Leeway: The amount of freedom to move or act that is available.
  • A break: A pause or interval.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • A sigh of relief: An expression of relief, often felt after gaining breathing space.
    • When the exam was postponed, the entire class let out a sigh of relief.
  • Headroom or Elbow room: Primarily refer to physical space but can be used figuratively in similar contexts to the literal meaning of "breathing space."
    • The budget has enough elbow room for unexpected expenses.
breathing space

They moved the furniture apart to create more breathing space in the small room.

Noun
  1. sufficient room for easy breathing or movement
    • moved to the country to find breathing room
  2. a short respite

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