Nithila  +  590317 Fri, 21 Nov 08 02:54 PM Original sentence is given below! The world has been holding its breath to see how Americans vote. Would they choose to stay on the same path and elect John McCain, a Republican, or would they choose to vote for change and for new policies, and elect Barack Obama? With the USA the only real superpower in the world, whoever they choose affects us all. here, what does the word breath give the context meaning? Nithila Joined on Thu, Apr 19 2007 Full Member 120 if my question is grammatically wrong, please inform me, or correct it. It will help me a lot

	Grammar Geek  +  590324 Fri, 21 Nov 08 03:26 PM The idiom of "holding [your, its, my, etc.] breath" means waiting with great anticipation. It also has a partner: Don't hold your breath. That means "Don't expect it to happen any time soon." A: Jim said he's pay you back the money he owes you next week. B: Really? Well, I'm not holding my breath. He's said that every week for the last two months.   Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,508 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Idioms

	Yankee  +  590327 Fri, 21 Nov 08 03:35 PM There is an idiom "hold one's breath", and it basically means "be anxious, worried or excited (about something" or "be in an anxious, worried or excited state of anticipation (about something)".  The expression refers to the fact that normal breathing can be interrupted when someone is in such a state (anxious, worried or excited).  So, you might reword the sentence this way:  "Everyone in the world is anxiously waiting to see how Americans vote." EDIT: Oops!  I'm far too slow for GG. Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,409 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain Idioms