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Meaning & use

a breath of fresh air

phrase·Everydayfigurative

Last updated

UK/ə ˌbreθ əv ˌfreʃ ˈeə/
US/ə ˌbreθ əv ˌfreʃ ˈer/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiomapproving

    Someone or something that feels pleasantly new, honest or lively after a period of dullness or sameness.

    Grammar: Used as a noun phrase, usually after is or was: she was a breath of fresh air.

    Patterns

    • be a breath of fresh air
    • a breath of fresh air for someone

    The new teacher was a breath of fresh air after years of the same lessons.

    Her honest answers were a breath of fresh air in a room full of careful speeches.

    The small cafe was a breath of fresh air among all the chain restaurants.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    A short time spent outdoors to breathe clean, cool air.

    Grammar: Literal use, often with get or need: I need a breath of fresh air.

    Patterns

    • get a breath of fresh air
    • need a breath of fresh air

    I stepped onto the balcony for a breath of fresh air.

    After hours in the stuffy office, she went out for a breath of fresh air.

    Open the window and let in a breath of fresh air.

Common combinations

be a breath of fresh air
His humor was a breath of fresh air for the team.
like a breath of fresh air
She walked in like a breath of fresh air.
a welcome breath of fresh air
The cool evening was a welcome breath of fresh air.
need a breath of fresh air
I need a breath of fresh air before the next meeting.
bring a breath of fresh air
The young chef brought a breath of fresh air to the menu.

Synonyms and how they differ

refreshing change
Refreshing change is plainer and less vivid, with no image of air.
tonic
Tonic suggests something that lifts your mood or energy, a more formal and less idiomatic choice.
novelty
Novelty stresses newness only, without the pleasant, relieving feeling of the idiom.
godsend
Godsend implies something badly needed and very welcome, which is stronger than a breath of fresh air.

Opposites

same old story

Word family

breath noun
the air taken into the lungs
fresh adjective
new, clean or not stale
freshen verb
to make cleaner or newer
breathe verb
to take air in and out

Commonly confused: a breath of fresh air or breath?

a breath of fresh air vs breath

Breath (noun) rhymes with death, while breathe (verb) ends in a long vowel and a voiced th.

Practice

The new manager listened to everyone and tried new ideas; staff called her ___.

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