# don't hold your breath

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dont-hold-your-breath
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.

## Examples

- They promised a refund, but don't hold your breath.
- The bus is usually late, so don't hold your breath for an early arrival.
- The boss said he might give us a raise next year, but honestly, don't hold your breath.
- My neighbor keeps saying he will fix the broken fence this weekend, but I would not hold my breath if I were you.
- She told me she would call back in five minutes, but since she is always busy, don't hold your breath waiting for the phone to ring.
- While the politician promised immediate reform to the tax code, seasoned observers advised voters not to hold their breath.

## Origin

The expression is an instruction against self-asphyxiation while waiting for an unlikely event. It suggests that if one were to hold one's breath until the expected occurrence actually took place, one would expire before it happened. The phrase functions as a brief reminder that the wait will be significantly longer than one's remaining oxygen supply.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.