gasping
gasping — verb
- gaspingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- gaspings3rd person singular
- gaspinging-ing form
- gaspingedpast simple
1. to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frighte
to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frightens, or hurts you.
Ilan gasped when the magician pulled a live rabbit from the empty hat.
gasp + when-clause for a sudden surprised reaction
The whole audience gasped in shock as the dancer slipped off the stage.
gasp in + emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement)
Kemi gasped at the price tag on the small leather handbag.
Xiu gasped sharply when the cold water hit her bare feet.
Élise gasped and dropped the hot pan onto the kitchen tiles.
文法句型
gasp
gasp at + noun
gasp in + emotion noun
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'at' (the trigger) or 'in' + an emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement). Distinguish from sense 2: this is one quick involuntary breath, not ongoing labored breathing.
常見錯誤
2. to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for exampl
to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for example after running hard or because of illness.
Ishaan reached the top of the hill and stood gasping for breath.
collocation: gasp for breath (after exertion)
The old dog lay on the kitchen floor, gasping for air in the heat.
collocation: gasp for air
Reuben finished the race gasping and clutching a sharp pain in his side.
After the smoke cleared, two firefighters were still gasping by the truck.
Constanza coughed and gasped as the cold pool water filled her nose.
文法句型
gasp for breath
gasp for air
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'for breath' or 'for air'. Subject is usually a person or animal who has just exerted themselves, is hurt, or is struggling with smoke, water, or illness. Distinguish from sense 1: here the breathing is ongoing and labored, not one sharp intake.
常見錯誤
3. to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually beca
to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually because of shock, pain, or exhaustion.
"Call an ambulance," Defne gasped, pressing one hand against her chest.
gasp + direct speech for short urgent words
Jenna gasped out the address before she fainted on the sofa.
gasp out + the words said
Imani gasped that the river had risen over the wooden bridge.
"I lost the keys," Marco gasped between deep painful breaths.
文法句型
gasp + direct speech
gasp + that-clause
gasp out + words
用法筆記
Almost always reports very short urgent speech — a name, a warning, a brief sentence — not long explanations. Often pairs with the particle 'out' (gasp out the words). Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is on what the person said, not just on how they breathed.
常見錯誤
gasping — noun
1. a quick, audible breath that you pull in suddenly because of surprise, pain, sho
a quick, audible breath that you pull in suddenly because of surprise, pain, shock, or because you cannot get enough air.
Ava let out a loud gasp when she saw the puppy under the Christmas tree.
let out + a gasp for a visible/audible reaction
A gasp of horror ran through the audience as the lights came back on.
a gasp of + emotion noun (horror, surprise, relief)
Eliska answered the phone with a sharp gasp of pain.
The old man took one last gasp before the nurse covered him with a sheet.
Paloma surfaced from the lake with a long gasp for air.
- intake
intake (of breath) is more clinical; gasp is more emotional
- exclamation
exclamation can be spoken words; a gasp is only the breath
文法句型
a gasp of + emotion noun
with a gasp
用法筆記
Common patterns: 'let out a gasp', 'with a gasp', 'a gasp of [emotion]'. Also appears in fixed phrases like 'last gasp' (final effort or moment) and 'at the last gasp' (just before something ends).