Click below to listen to the phrase.
Choose the correct definition a, b or c.
a) don’t expect it to happen
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
The expression ’don’t hold your breath’ is something you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen.
French translation
ne vous faites pas d’illusions, n’y comptez pas trop
How NOT to translate : *ne retenez pas votre souffle
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Examples in context
‘Why You’re Probably Going to Get a Raise This Year.
Raises are back—finally. A new report says roughly 90% of companies will give raises this year, but workers are going to have to earn those fatter paychecks : More than half of companies responding to PayScales’s annual Compensation Best Practices Report say their main reason for giving raises is to reward performance ; only about 20% say the increased cost of living is the main reason they give raises.
And don’t hold your breath for a windfall. The vast majority of these say raises will be 5% or less.’
Time, 19th February 2015
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’Gary Lineker launches stinging attack on Fifa : The whole thing is a farce.
Gary Lineker has launched a scathing attack on Fifa following the governing body’s decision to publish a report into claims of corruption during bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The only way something will really change is if the major federations around the world come together and say ’we have had enough of this’. But ’don’t hold your breath.’
The Daily Mail, 20th December 2014
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Everyday usage
I think the sales for 2015 could change within the next few months, but don’t hold your breath.
Fred could travel to work on the bus to reduce his carbon footprint, but don’t hold your breath. He loves that old Renault.
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