Definition

Noun: A brief period of rest or relief from something difficult, demanding, or tiring. It is a pause that allows one to recover one's breath, both literally and figuratively.

Usage

This noun is typically used to describe a temporary break or lull in activity, pressure, or stress. It is often preceded by the indefinite article "a" and can be used with verbs like "get," "have," "take," or "give."

Examples

• The weekend offered a welcome breathing spell after the intense project deadline.
• The ceasefire provided a crucial breathing spell for humanitarian aid to reach the city.
• Let's take a short breathing spell before we tackle the next item on the agenda.

Advanced Usage

• "to give someone/something a breathing spell": To allow a person or situation a period of rest or reduced pressure.
  • The manager gave the team a breathing spell by postponing the meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Breathing space (noun): A very similar term meaning a period or opportunity to pause, think, or recover. It often implies physical or metaphorical room to maneuver.
  • The loan extension gave the company some much-needed breathing space.

Synonyms

• Respite
• Break
• Rest
• Pause
• Lull
• Letup
• Recess

Idioms and Phrases

• A chance to catch one's breath: An idiomatic phrase with a nearly identical meaning to "breathing spell."
  • The slow week was a chance for everyone to catch their breath.

Noun

1. a short respite