breathing space

noun

: some time in which to recover, get organized, or get going

called also breathing room, breathing spell

Examples of breathing space in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Lowering borrowing costs could ease some of the pressure felt by businesses and consumers, providing more breathing space to hire or make purchases. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2024 When the cease-fire lapsed, the hostilities that followed ultimately favored Israel, which benefitted from the breathing space allowed by negotiations. Eric Min, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2024 Plus open shelving on the wall leaves plenty of visual breathing space. Madeleine Luckel, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2024 But the movie works equally well as pure popcorn entertainment, packing its two-and-a-half-hour running time with nail-biting thrills but also allowing sufficient breathing space to build depth in the characters and story. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for breathing space 

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breathing space was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near breathing space

Cite this Entry

“Breathing space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breathing%20space. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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