[Idiom] in the same breath

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ashiuhto

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Taiwan
Current Location
Taiwan
Are the following sentences acceptable?
What does it mean by the idiom "in the same breath" ?

(1) The two things can't be mentioned in the same breath.

(2) Don't mention him and me in the same breath.
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Think of it literally. It means do not speak of them at the same time. If you say one thing and then another "in the same breath" then you are speaking of them within a very short time.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
For me, it also has the idea that by saying them together, you are associating them in some way (and shouldn't).
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
:up: And, to answer the original question, yes they are. (acceptable) ;-)

b
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top