ALL meanings of bated breath
bate breath
B b - verb with object bated breath to moderate or restrain: unable to bate our enthusiasm. 1
- verb with object bated breath to lessen or diminish; abate: setbacks that bated his hopes. 1
- verb without object bated breath to diminish or subside; abate. 1
- idioms bated breath with bated breath, with breath drawn in or held because of anticipation or suspense: We watched with bated breath as the runners approached the finish line. 1