catch one's breath

catch one's breath (third-person singular simple present catches one's breath, present participle catching one's breath, simple past and past participle caught one's breath)

1. to take a break, or rest while doing a strenuous activity, so that one's breathing becomes easier

   They stopped for a moment at the end of the set to catch their breath before resuming play.

2. to take in a breath sharply and hold it, usually in reaction to a sudden shock, or surprise

   John caught his breath when he saw the bottle rolling unstoppably towards the opposite edge of the table.