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breathing space
noun
: some time in which to recover, get organized, or get going
called also breathing room, breathing spell
Examples of breathing space in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Both outcomes would have strengthened the Greek government’s bargaining power by giving it more breathing space.
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Martin Sandbu, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
This should grant some breathing space for pedestrians on the avenues.
—
Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The Fantasy Premier League gameweeks aren’t giving us much breathing space right now.
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Ben Dinnery, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Automatic work permit extensions for the spouses of H-1B holders waiting on their renewals will also include more breathing space, with the limit rising from 180 days to 540 days.
—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1545, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to breathing space
Dictionary Entries Near breathing space
Cite this Entry
“Breathing space.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breathing%20space. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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