
IdiomBody & Senses
English
take one's breath away
Meaning: To astonish someone with beauty or surprise.
Example: “The view from the pass takes your breath away.”
Origin: Strong emotion really does catch the breath. The phrase is recorded in English from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: togliere il fiato Literally: To take away the breath
More English idioms
- on the ropes Close to defeat or collapse.
- hit rock bottom To reach the lowest possible point.
- move with the times To keep up with change instead of clinging to old ways.
- beat the drum for something To promote something loudly and publicly.
- any old how Carelessly, with no attention to doing it properly.
- where the sun doesn't shine Somewhere hidden; also a rude way of naming the body.
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