with bated breath

== English == === Alternative forms === with 'bated breath, with baited breath (common misspelling) === Etymology === From the verb bate, alteration by aphesis of the verb abate (“to reduce; lessen”). Coined by William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, see quotations. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA(key): /wɪð ˈbeɪtɪd ˈbɹɛθ/ === Prepositional phrase === with bated breath With reduced breath. (idiomatic) Eagerly; with great anticipation. ==== Related terms ==== breathholding don't hold your breath hold one's breath ==== Translations ==== === References === Michael Quinion (1996–2026), “With bated breath”, in World Wide Words. Michael Quinion (2004), “With bated breath”, in Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, →ISBN.