The difference between Hold one's breath and Wait
When used as verbs, hold one's breath means to keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling, whereas wait means to delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of.
Wait is also noun with the meaning: a delay.
check bellow for the other definitions of Hold one's breath and Wait
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Hold one's breath as a verb:
To keep air in one's lungs, pausing noticeably before exhaling after previously inhaling.
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Hold one's breath as a verb (idiomatic, usually in a negative):
To wait expectantly for something to happen soon.
Examples:
"He might pay back the money he borrowed without you reminding him, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
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Wait as a verb (transitive, now, rare):
To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
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Wait as a verb (intransitive):
To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
Examples:
"'Wait here until your car arrives."
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Wait as a verb (intransitive, US):
To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.
Examples:
"She used to wait down at the Dew Drop Inn."
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Wait as a verb (transitive, obsolete):
To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
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Wait as a verb (obsolete):
To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany.
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Wait as a verb (obsolete, colloquial):
To defer or postpone (especially a meal).
Examples:
"to wait dinner"
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Wait as a verb (intransitive):
To remain celibate while one's lover is unavailable.
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Wait as a noun:
A delay.
Examples:
"I had a very long wait at the airport security check."
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Wait as a noun:
An ambush.
Examples:
"They lay in wait for the patrol."
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Wait as a noun (obsolete):
One who watches; a watchman.
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Wait as a noun (in the plural, obsolete, UK):
Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians.
Examples:
"rfquotek Halliwell"
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Wait as a noun (in the plural, archaic, UK):
Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen. [formerly waites, wayghtes.]