create some breathing space

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "create some breathing space" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for time or distance to alleviate pressure or stress in a situation. Example: "After a hectic week at work, I decided to take a day off to create some breathing space for myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The regime needs to create some breathing space urgently," said a retired Burmese academic, who asked not to be identified.

The Guardian

Although his Mahdi Army is a prime instigator of the violence, General Keane says a direct confrontation would be too risky.The trouble with politicsMr Bush's plan is to create some "breathing space", bring down the violence to a level that the Iraqi security forces can manage and give them time to become more proficient.

The Economist

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades was the most unequivocal of bailed-out Eurozone leaders in backing Athens' expected call for significant reduction of its debt to create some breathing space for income- and job-producing growth projects.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In an interview, Robert M. Kimmitt, the deputy treasury secretary, who oversaw the approval of the deal, said that the company's decision "created some breathing space for us," and administration officials spent the day trying to persuade Congressional leaders that their fears of a security threat were overblown.

The New York Times

In these situations, when going gets rough, best advice is to immediately create some mental breathing space.

HuffPost

This can create an opportunity for the employee to get some breathing space and distance to the ongoing changes.

BMC Public Health

"This would have created a parallel banking system, which would have given us some breathing space, while the banks would have been shut due to the ECB's aggressive policy," Varoufakis was quoted as saying.

The Guardian

"We probably needed that second goal just to give us some breathing space because we knew with their quality they are going to create chances.

BBC

However, Donnelly's surge created a score for Kieran McGeary, and points form Harte and Sludden gave them some breathing space at the break.

BBC

We have some breathing space".

The New York Times

It has also given the government some breathing space.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "create some breathing space", consider the context. It's often used when discussing strategies for managing stress, debt, or political situations where a temporary reprieve is needed. Use it to suggest a deliberate action to alleviate pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "create some breathing space" in very informal settings. Simpler phrases like "take a break" or "relax" might be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "create some breathing space" functions as a verbal phrase, often used to describe actions taken to alleviate pressure, stress, or constraints in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, emphasizing its purpose to provide time or distance for relief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Create some breathing space" is a verbal phrase used to describe actions taken to alleviate pressure or stress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with secondary usage in formal business and science. Alternatives include ""provide some leeway"" or "allow some breathing room". When using this phrase, consider the context and avoid overusing it in very informal settings for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow some breathing room

Similar meaning, focuses on physical or metaphorical space.

provide some leeway

Focuses on granting flexibility or room for maneuver.

offer a respite

Emphasizes a temporary break from difficulty or strain.

give some slack

Implies reducing pressure or expectations.

grant a reprieve

Highlights a temporary suspension of an impending negative outcome.

build in flexibility

Focuses on incorporating adaptability into a plan or system.

afford an opportunity for relaxation

More formal and emphasizes the chance to relax.

engineer a break

Suggests deliberately planning a pause for easing pressure.

open up possibilities

Highlights the chance to generate new scenarios to make one feel better.

carve out time for reflection

Emphasizes dedicating specific time to thoughtful consideration and introspection.

FAQs

How can I use "create some breathing space" in a sentence?

You can use "create some breathing space" to suggest alleviating pressure in various situations, such as "The company decided to restructure its debt to "provide some leeway" and "create some breathing space" for future investments".

What's a more formal way to say "create some breathing space"?

In a more formal context, you might say "afford an opportunity for relaxation" or "build in flexibility". These alternatives sound more professional and less colloquial.

Which situations are best for using "create some breathing space"?

"Create some breathing space" is best used when describing efforts to ease pressure or provide temporary relief. It works well in discussions about finance, politics, or personal well-being.

Are there any negative connotations to "create some breathing space"?

No, "create some breathing space" generally has positive connotations, implying a proactive effort to improve a situation. However, it can sometimes suggest that the underlying problem hasn't been fully resolved, just temporarily relieved.