Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
breather

breather

Date: Jan 17 2019

Themes: Celebrity, Pop Culture, Sports

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“Normally they come in to give you a little breather, to give you time to rest a bit, and also to give you some advice.”

Major League Baseball pitcher Pedro Martinez, talking about the role of coaches

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

short pause to rest; break

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

If you’ve ever heard these phrases repeated over and over again, you’ve likely needed to relax. Oftentimes, when we need to calm down we focus on our breathing. Doctors tell their patients to breathe deeply and slowly. At the end of exercise classes, like yoga or pilates, instructors tell their students to focus on their breathing.

We don’t only need to focus on breathing when we are at the doctor’s office or at the gym, though. Taking breathers is an important part of everyday life. Whenever we stop what we are doing, whether it’s cleaning, working, or playing sports, in order to have a short break, we are taking a breather. It’s a chance to relax, to settle your mind, and become calm before starting a task again.

Professional baseball player Pedro Martinez said that whenever his coaches came onto the field to talk to him, they allowed him to have a breather. While he was listening to their advice, he could also have a minute to rest and to get ready for the next pitch.

When do you take breathers? What helps you relax?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“Alex always takes a breather in the middle of his runs.”

“We’ve been studying for five hours straight. I need to get outside and take a breather.”

“Before they finished painting the house, Janet asked Justin if they could take a breather.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

GWTA A little break
by GWTASuper Member!
Manu4 To give you support, a time for relaxing
by Manu4
a2020 Rest.
by a2020
To give someone a breather is to give him a chance to rest.
by Mr. Learner
to have rest
by vixuha
Spell, as short period of time, or break during a game.
by ctmunoz
Hazelgirl Stoping doing something for a short time, pause
by Hazelgirl

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Comments

Log in to Comment

faezeh14

faezeh14

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

taking breather is the best way to fade away the stress and have a new start.

10:33 AM Jun 16 2014 |

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

By facing below items most likely I’ll provide a short time break for myself:


1-Whenever I thought that my efficiency in work slowdown greatly I prefer to take a breather. 


2-If something make a deep boring sense on me either something goes wrong and I could not fix it, I’ll decide to take a brief rest in order to refresh myself. 


3-When a serious problem come through me I lose my focuser, then all thing I have to do is to take a breather so that recover myself. 


4-Oftentime I find out that I’m a bit hungry or thirsty, definitely I’ll leave off the place.


And things like these

06:15 AM Jun 13 2014 |

1 person likes this

rosendo

rosendo

Mexico

nice slang, thanks

08:27 PM Jun 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

Idriss

Idriss

Morocco

This is what i call a real “breather”, i hope i can do it 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3MqrE07I4

 

06:53 PM Jun 12 2014 |

2 people like this

Miss.Seba

Miss.Seba

Yemen

to stop doing wt u do  for a little time as for relax and then continue ur work :) 

06:52 PM Jun 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

Michele1

Michele1

Italy

Drinking slowly a coffee while we are working very hard at the office, may be a nice idea to have a breather…  

09:58 AM Jun 12 2014 |

S&W

S&W

China

When i got heavy pressures ,that the time i really need to take a breather.Nothing better than ourdoor sports can help me relax

09:24 AM Jun 12 2014 |

amy12277

amy12277

China

I take breather deeply and slowly when i meet a strainger .especially i meet my boss .

08:26 AM Jun 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

Amangali

Amangali

Russian Federation

I take breathers when I work hard, especially when I do it for a long time.

08:16 AM Jun 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

Zambuka

Zambuka

United States

i take breathers everytime i need to start something..) because, if your mind is settled, you can concertrate better on your task and your attention doesnt wander

08:03 AM Jun 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

samine_sh

samine_sh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

 i have enough breather always before starting a new task or after doing a hard work  but my mind is tired of this world..nothing is certain

06:50 AM Jun 12 2014 |

Eric_

Eric_

China

Life is hard. 



We need to find a way to take a breather ourselves…

03:14 AM Jun 12 2014 |

Mr. Learner

Peru

This year was a tough year for me in the college. I need to take a beather.

12:09 AM Jun 12 2014 |

Likes (20):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast

More English Lessons