People accept information differently. Some are easier to understand by ear, while others need visual support. But despite this, if a group of people is told something interesting, then they will listen with pleasure, holding their breath. The meaning of this phraseology we will analyze in the article.
Origin
Like all folk wisdom, phraseological unit “holding its breath”, the meaning of which we will consider below, is rooted in antiquity. In Russia, many wisdom was invented that people, due to their illiteracy, could not write. That is why, with the advent and distribution of fiction, phraseological units have become frequent. The expression “holding our breath” we can observe in the works of Russian classics, such as I. Bunin, M. Prishvin, V. Sukhomlinsky.
Value
Time passed, and the meaning of the statement changed. Today, the meaning of phraseology “holding our breath” in one word can be described as follows: carefully. But this is not an exact synonym. Indeed, phraseologism is multifaceted. It can be used both to convey joyful feelings, and to describe fear. First, consider the first, positive option. In it, the meaning “holding my breath” can be described as “listening carefully, with inspiration, without interrupting”.
So children listen to fairy tales that parents read to them at night. A girl in love will breathlessly listen to the verses of her young man.
But phraseologism has another context. Holding your breath you can expect trouble. For example, in almost all horror films, the main characters climb into the basement or attic. There they sit with bated breath, so that the villain would not find them.
