short wind

A runner stops to catch his short wind after a sprint.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Limited breath capacity: "short wind" refers to the condition of being unable to breathe deeply or for a prolonged period, often due to physical exertion, illness, or lack of stamina. It implies a shortness of breath.
   • Figurative limitation: Metaphorically, "short wind" can describe a lack of endurance, patience, or sustained energy in a non-physical context, such as in argument, effort, or concentration.

Usage Examples

• Literal:

  • After running up the stairs, he was gasping for air and complained of short wind. (He experienced difficulty breathing due to physical exertion.)
  • The doctor said her short wind was a symptom of asthma. (Her limited breath capacity was a medical issue.)

• Figurative:

  • His short wind in debates meant he could never argue for more than a few minutes. (His lack of endurance in argument.)
  • The team's short wind showed in the last quarter; they gave up too easily. (Their limited stamina or resolve.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have short wind": to possess limited breath or stamina.

  • She has short wind and cannot jog for long. (She tires quickly due to poor breath control.)

• "to be out of short wind": to be breathless or panting (less common; more often "out of breath").

  • He was out of short wind after the sprint. (He was panting from exertion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Short-winded (adj): describing a person or activity that involves limited breath.

  • The short-winded speaker paused frequently to catch his breath. (He lacked breath control.)

• Wind (n): breath or air in the lungs; also used in phrases like "second wind" (renewed energy).

Synonyms

• Shortness of breath: the medical term for labored breathing.
• Panting: rapid, shallow breathing from exertion.
• Lack of stamina: insufficient endurance for sustained effort.

Phrasal Verbs

• Run out of wind: to lose breath or energy.

  • He ran out of wind halfway up the hill. (He became breathless and could not continue.)

• Get one's wind back: to recover breath after exertion.

  • She stopped to get her wind back before speaking. (She paused to breathe normally.)

Related Idioms

• Take one's breath away: to be so surprising or beautiful that one forgets to breathe (not directly synonymous but related to breath).

  • The view took my breath away. (It astonished me.)

• Second wind: a renewed burst of energy after initial fatigue.

  • After the first mile, he got his second wind and felt stronger. (He regained stamina.)