took his breath away

Definitions

• amazement
  To cause someone to feel amazed or astounded by something, often due to its beauty, skill, or excellence

• surprise
  To cause someone to feel surprised or shocked by something unexpected or remarkable

Examples of took his breath away

• The sunset over the ocean took his breath away.

  This idiom is used to describe a moment or sight that left someone speechless and in awe. It literally means that the person couldn't breathe due to the intense beauty or surprise of the scene. Here, the breathtaking sunset over the ocean left the person completely spellbound and unable to speak for a moment.

• The sound of the violinist's performance took his breath away.

  This idiom can also be used to describe a moment that leaves someone breathless due to its beauty or overwhelming power. In this case, the sound of the violinist's performance was so captivating and engrossing that the person could not take a deep breath because of the intensity of the music.

• Her beauty took his breath away.

  This idiom is often used to describe the visual appeal of someone's physical appearance. In this case, her extreme beauty left the person completely stunned and amazed, causing him to lose the ability to breathe for a moment.

• The announcement of his promotion took his breath away.

  This idiom can also be used in situations that leave someone speechless due to its importance or the impact it has on someone's life. In this case, the announcement of his promotion caused such a shock and surprise to the person that he could not seem to catch his breath.

• The view from the top of the mountain took his breath away.

  The phrase "took his breath away" is used to describe a situation in which someone is so amazed, stunning, or overwhelmed by something that they briefly lose their breath or become momentarily speechless. In this example, the person being described is so impressed by the scenery from the mountaintop that they can't help but be temporarily stunned by it, causing them to lose their breath. This idiom is commonly used to express strong emotions, especially awe or admiration.

• Hearing her sing for the first time took his breath away.

  This example uses the idiom to describe a person's reaction to hearing someone sing for the first time. The phrase "took his breath away" implies that the person being described was so impressed by the singer's vocal abilities that it left him momentarily speechless and caused him to lose his breath. This use of the idiom is often seen in descriptions of artistic performances, where the audience may be moved to such a degree that they are temporarily stunned.

• The news he received today took his breath away.

  This example uses the idiom to describe a person's reaction to receiving unexpected news. The phrase "took his breath away" implies that the person being described was so shocked or startled by the news that it briefly left him speechless and caused him to lose his breath. This use of the idiom is commonly used to describe dramatic and emotional events, such as receiving unexpected good or bad news.

• Seeing her in the hospital bed took his breath away.

  This example uses the idiom to describe a person's reaction to seeing someone they care about in distress or a vulnerable position. The phrase "took his breath away" implies that the person being described was so moved by the sight of the sick or injured person that it temporarily left him speechless and caused him to lose his breath. This use of the idiom is often seen in emotional or poignant situations, where one might be overwhelmed by feelings of sympathy or concern.

Conclusion

The idiom "took his breath away" is used to express the idea of someone being amazed or surprised by something. It can be used to describe the impact of something beautiful or excellent, as well as something unexpected or remarkable.

Origin of "took his breath away"

The origin of the idiom "took his breath away" can be traced back to the literal act of having one's breath taken away by a sudden and stunning sight or experience. This feeling of being breathless in the face of something remarkable has been translated into the figurative use of the idiom to convey a sense of awe, amazement, or surprise. The idiom has become a common way to express the emotional impact of something extraordinary, whether it be a breathtaking view, a stunning performance, or a surprising turn of events. Its origins in the physical sensation of breathlessness give it a vivid and powerful imagery that has made it a widely used and understood expression in the English language.