A breath of fresh air is a person, idea or change that refreshes something stale: The new presenter was a breath of fresh air after years of stiff interviews. It's high praise, and it's often about a person. It can also be literal: go out for a breath of fresh air means stepping outside for some air.
When would you say a breath of fresh air?
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be / feel like a breath of fresh air; bring a breath of fresh air to something
- The new presenter was a breath of fresh air after years of stiff interviews.
- Her clear, practical advice felt like a breath of fresh air.
- The bright murals brought a breath of fresh air to the old waiting room.
What changed
First versionHis relaxed teaching style was a breathe of fresh air.
RevisionHis relaxed teaching style was a breath of fresh air.
Breath and breathe are spelled almost the same, so an extra e slips in easily. But after a you need the noun breath [breθ], while breathe [briːð] is the verb. Drop the e, and the phrase is correct.
A change of scenery is a change of surroundings: travelling, moving the furniture. A breath of fresh air is a judgment: the new thing is better than the old, and it's often a person. A new lease of life is a second life for something that was fading.
Your turn
The cheerful new volunteer was a ___ of fresh air.
Show the answer
breath — After a you need the noun breath. Breathe is the verb.
Describe a person or change that brought life to a tired routine. Use a breath of fresh air.
The outdoor lesson was a breath of fresh air after a week of sitting in the same classroom.
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