SpeakUp

Grammar fix

hold your breath

not breathe

to stop breathing for a short time, usually on purpose, for example when you go underwater or are waiting nervously for something to happen.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • She had to hold her breath while swimming under the water.daily life
  • During the exam, I was so nervous that I felt like I was holding my breath until I finished.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: hold + your + breath

WrongHold the breath and count to ten.

RightHold your breath and count to ten.

Use the possessive — 'hold YOUR breath', not 'the breath'.

Patternhold + your + breath

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Please cease breathing momentarily while I take the scan.

Natural Just hold your breath for a second.

'Hold your breath' is the fixed everyday phrase. 'Cease breathing momentarily' is clinical.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • hold your breath
    underwaterfor a momentand countnervously

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'take a deep breath,' which means to breathe in deeply, not to stop breathing.

Try it in Daily Speak →