Breath
.It takes away one’s breath. The news is so astounding it causes one to hold his breath with surprise.
“You might have saved your breath to cool your porridge.”—Mrs. Gaskell: Libbie Marsh (Era 111).
“‘I see her,ʹ replied I, catching my breath with joy.”—Capt. Marryat: Peter Simple.
To take breath. To cease for a little time from some exertion in order to recover from exhaustion of breath.
Under one’s breath. In a whisper or undertone of voice.