bated breath

B

bated breath (metaphor)
/ˈbeɪtɪd brɛθ/

Meaning

• feeling excited and slightly anxious while waiting.
• with great anticipation; eagerly awaiting something.
• in a state of suspense or anxiety.
• with nervous or excited anticipation.
• waiting quietly and with intense focus.
• holding one’s breath in expectation; anxiously awaiting a result.
• with restrained breathing due to emotion or anticipation.
• holding one’s breath due to tension.

Example Sentences

1. The audience watched with bated breath as the magician performed his final trick.
2. She waited with bated breath for the results of her medical test.
3. With bated breath, the crowd awaited the announcement of the winner.
4. The children listened with bated breath to the storyteller’s suspenseful tale.
5. He waited with bated breath to see if his job application was successful.

Origin and History

The idiom “bated breath” has an interesting history rooted in English literature and language evolution. The phrase means holding one’s breath in anticipation or suspense, often with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

“Bated breath” is a classic example of how language evolves yet retains certain phrases due to their literary roots and expressive power. Its origin in Shakespeare’s writing and its journey through centuries of English usage underline the dynamic and enduring nature of idiomatic expressions.

Etymology and Early Usage

The word “bated” is a shortened form of “abated,” which means to lessen or reduce. The term “bate” itself is a form of the verb “abate,” originating from the Old French word “abattre,” meaning “to beat down” or “reduce.” The term “bate” appeared in English around the 14th century and was commonly used to mean holding back or restraining something, such as breath.

The earliest known printed usage of “bated breath” is found in William Shakespeare’s play, “The Merchant of Venice,” written between 1596 and 1599. In Act 1, Scene 3, the character Shylock says:

Shall I bend low and in a bondman’s key,
With bated breath and whispering humbleness,
Say this:

Here, “bated breath” implies Shylock is holding his breath in a show of subservience and anticipation of the outcome of a tense conversation.

Historical Context and Confusion

“Bated breath” has often been confused with “baited breath,” a common misspelling even seen in popular literature such as J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” The confusion arises because the verb “to bate” is no longer commonly used outside of this idiom, making it an archaic term.

Shakespeare’s Influence

While Shakespeare’s use of “bated breath” is the earliest recorded instance, it is likely that the phrase was already in colloquial use before he immortalized it in his play. His literary genius often involved coining or popularizing phrases that were part of the vernacular of his time.

Over the centuries, the phrase “bated breath” has remained in use, often to describe situations of suspense or high emotional stakes. Its persistence in the English language, despite the obsolescence of the verb “bate,” showcases the enduring impact of Shakespeare’s works on modern English.

Synonyms

1. on the edge of one’s seat
2. holding one’s breath

Anxious, Feeling