Meaning & use
and breathe
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformalhumorous
Said after something difficult or tense is over, meaning you can finally relax.
Grammar: Stands alone as a complete remark; it is not followed by an object.
Patterns
- and breathe
The deadline was met, the client signed — and breathe.
Exams finished, bags packed, holiday starts — and breathe.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used to tell someone to calm down and stop being upset or angry.
Grammar: Said directly to a person as advice; it cannot take an object like 'breathe yourself'.
Patterns
- and breathe
Look, the mistake is fixed, nothing is lost — and breathe.
You've been shouting for ten minutes. Sit down, and breathe.
Common combinations
- just ... and breathe
- The report is sent, the emails are answered, just close the laptop and breathe.
- and breathe — that's over
- The interview went fine, and breathe — that's over.
- sit down and breathe
- Sit down and breathe before you say anything you'll regret.
- and breathe, everyone
- The fire alarm was a test, and breathe, everyone.
- okay, and breathe
- Okay, and breathe — nobody is angry with you.
Synonyms and how they differ
- relax
- A general verb for becoming calm; 'and breathe' is a spoken phrase used at the exact moment of relief, not a command to relax over time.
- calm down
- A phrasal verb you say to an agitated person; 'and breathe' is softer and often humorous rather than a serious instruction.
- take a breather
- Informal and means pausing an activity for a rest; 'and breathe' marks the end of stress rather than a break in the middle of it.
Word family
Commonly confused: and breathe or breathe? and breathe or breadth?
and breathe vs breathe
'Breathe' is the verb, with a long 'ee' sound and a final 'e'; 'breath' is the noun, with a short sound and no final 'e'.
and breathe vs breadth
'Breadth' means how wide something is and sounds almost the same as 'breath'; it has nothing to do with calming down.
Practice
Your friend has just finished a very stressful presentation and is shaking. Which remark fits best?
Choose one answer.
'And breathe' is the fixed phrase used to mean 'you can relax now'. 'And breath' is wrong because 'breath' is a noun, and 'and breathe in' would be an instruction to inhale, which does not carry the sense of relief.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “and breathe”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.