breathe in, breathe out

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used to tell someone to take air into the lungs and then let it out, especially slowly and calmly.

   Grammar: Said as a complete instruction; it does not take an object and is not usually changed to other tenses.

   Patterns

   • breathe in, breathe out
   • breathe in ... and breathe out ...

   The nurse held my hand and said, "Breathe in, breathe out."

   When you feel nervous before a test, try to breathe in, breathe out, and count to five.

   The yoga teacher told us to breathe in, breathe out, and let our shoulders drop.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Used as a short name for a simple breathing exercise that helps someone relax or stay calm.

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like do or try, as a set routine: do a few rounds of breathe in, breathe out.

   Patterns

   • do breathe in, breathe out
   • try breathe in, breathe out

   If you cannot sleep, do a few minutes of breathe in, breathe out.

   The coach made the team try breathe in, breathe out before the final shot.

   Her therapist suggested a simple breathe in, breathe out routine every morning.

Common combinations

breathe in, breathe out slowly

The doctor asked her to breathe in, breathe out slowly while listening to her chest.

breathe in, breathe out deeply

Before speaking, he took a moment to breathe in, breathe out deeply.

just breathe in, breathe out

When the pain comes, just breathe in, breathe out and focus on something else.

breathe in, breathe out and relax

She closed her eyes, breathed in, breathed out, and relaxed her whole body.

remember to breathe in, breathe out

During the exam, remember to breathe in, breathe out if you start to panic.

Synonyms and how they differ

take a deep breath

This describes one full inward breath and is more common as a single action; breathe in, breathe out describes a repeated two-part cycle.

inhale and exhale

This is the technical or medical way to say the same actions; breathe in, breathe out is the everyday instruction.

Word family

breathing noun

The process of taking air into and out of the lungs.

breath noun

The air taken into or sent out of the lungs; also the act of breathing once.

Commonly confused: breathe in, breathe out or breath? breathe in, breathe out or breath in, breath out?

Practice

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