Definition of breath for Students. 1  1 : ability to breathe : ease of breathing I lost my breath for a moment. 2  2 : air taken in or sent out by the lungs Hold your breath. 3  3 : a slight breeze a breath of wind.
Definition of 'raise the stakes'. raise the stakes. a. to increase the amount of money or valuables hazarded in a gambling game. b. to increase the costs, risks, or considerations involved in taking an action or reaching a conclusion. the Libyan allegations raised the stakes in the propaganda war between Libya and the United States. stake.
pause, delay, Old English, from the root of stand (v.). Meaning place of standing, position is from c.1300; figurative sense is from 1590s. Sense of action of standing or coming to a position is attested from late 14c., especially in reference to fighting. Meaning raised platform for a hunter or sportsman is attested from c.1400. Sense of stall or booth is first recorded c.1500.