don't hold your breath

This page is about the conversational phrase don't hold your breath

Meaning

You can say this if something will take a long time to happen, or might never happen.

For example

  • "He said he was going to leave his wife."
    "Don't hold your breath, love. Men are always saying they'll leave their wives, but they rarely do."

  • "Do you think the world will be a peaceful place one day?"
    "Don't hold your breath."

Quick Quiz

You can say "Don't hold your breath" if something's

a. unlikely to happen soon

b. going to happen soon

c. already happened
a) unlikely to happen soon b) going to happen soon c) already happened

Contributor: Matt Errey