gasp

Everyday

1. To gasp means to breathe in suddenly and loudly with your mouth open, because you are surprised, shocked or in pain. tree →
2. To gasp for air or for breath means to struggle to breathe, for example after running or under water. tree →
3. A gasp is a sudden short breath like that. tree →
4. The last gasp means the very end, almost too late. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a gasp shows surprise or shock: «Everyone gasped». In health and safety, gasping for breath can mean someone cannot breathe well; after exercise it is normal, but if someone is choking, in water or having an asthma attack, get help at once. Phrases: «gasp in surprise», «gasp for air», «gasp of horror», «a last-gasp goal» (in the final moments).

Examples

• The audience gasped when the magician vanished. tree →
• I gasped when I saw the big spider. tree →
• He came up from the water gasping for air. tree →
• After the race we were all gasping. tree →
• There was a gasp of surprise from the class. tree →
• She gasped in pain when she twisted her ankle. tree →
• They scored a last-gasp goal to win. tree →
• «Oh no!» she gasped. tree →
• “John is not here now,” she gasped. tree →

Note

Past: «gasped» (said like «gaspt»). A gasp is breathing in; a sigh is usually breathing out. If someone keeps gasping and cannot speak, it may be an emergency.

In Jewish tradition

To pant or struggle for breath. Jeremiah uses it for animals in a drought, and Isaiah uses it for God crying out like a woman in labor.

Interpretation. Isaiah's picture is read as God finally acting after long patience. The tradition says God's silence in exile is not weakness.

Examples

• And the wild asses stand on the high hills, they gasp for air like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage. (Prophets JER.14.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have long time held My peace, I have been still, and refrained Myself; now will I cry like a travailing woman, gasping and panting at once. (Prophets ISA.42.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: «gasped» (said like «gaspt»). A gasp is breathing in; a sigh is usually breathing out. If someone keeps gasping and cannot speak, it may be an emergency.