息(いき)をつく

いきをつく
expression
to catch one's breath; to take a breather; to sigh with relief
body-partemotion
1. to catch one's breath; to take a breather; to take a rest
To pause and rest briefly, especially after exertion or a period of being busy. Implies a moment of relief or respite.
ほっと息(いき)をつく。
To breathe a sigh of relief.
忙(いそが)しくて息(いき)をつく暇(ひま)もない。
I'm so busy I don't even have time to catch my breath.
仕事(しごと)が一段落(いちだんらく)して、やっと息(いき)をつくことができた。
The work reached a stopping point, and I was finally able to take a breather.
無事(ぶじ)に帰(かえ)ってきた子(こ)どもの顔(かお)を見(み)て、母親(ははおや)はほっと息(いき)をついた。
Seeing her child come home safely, the mother breathed a sigh of relief.
2. to sigh; to let out a breath
To exhale audibly, often expressing relief, fatigue, or resignation.
ほっと息(いき)をつく。
To breathe a sigh of relief.
彼女(かのじょ)は深(ふか)い息(いき)をついた。
She let out a deep sigh.
試験(しけん)が終(お)わって、大(おお)きく息(いき)をついた。
When the exam was over, I let out a big sigh.
無事(ぶじ)に帰(かえ)ってきた子(こ)どもの顔(かお)を見(み)て、母親(ははおや)はほっと息(いき)をついた。
Seeing her child come home safely, the mother breathed a sigh of relief.

An idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to exhale.' The two senses overlap significantly — catching one's breath often involves a sigh of relief.

Common collocations

  • ほっと息(いき)をつく: to breathe a sigh of relief
  • 深(ふか)い息(いき)をつく: to take a deep breath / let out a deep sigh
  • 息(いき)をつく暇(ひま)もない: no time to catch one's breath
  • 大(おお)きく息(いき)をつく: to let out a big sigh

Related words

Related Words

Related: 一息(ひといき)つく (to take a short break)
general
Added 2026.4.4 5:21 · Revised 2026.9.29 5:36
21500/21874_ikiwotsuku