💫 A Breath of Fresh Air: (like) a
Definition: A refreshing change, something new and invigorating. Imagine opening the window on a stuffy day and feeling an invigorating breeze.
Origin: Formerly expressed as “(like) a breath of heaven” or “(like) a breath of spring,” this term became common in the mid-19th century. As W. Somerset Maugham wrote in his 1930 novel Cakes and Ale: “Her arrival on the scene was like a breath of fresh air.”
Synonyms and Related Terms
- A gust of wind: Something or someone that brings new energy.
- A ray of sunshine: A person who brings joy and positivity.
- Invigorating: To give strength or energy to; refreshing.
- Stimulating: Encouraging or arousing interest or enthusiasm.
Antonyms
- Stagnant: Showing no activity; dull and sluggish. Optionally useful in describing a scenario in desperate need of fresh air.
- Mundane: Lacking interest or excitement; dull. Acts as the dreary backdrop that gives ‘a breath of fresh air’ its luster.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “When you walked in, it was like someone finally opened a window in the old folks’ home.”
- “He’s like a breath of fresh air in a room full of farts.”
References and Proverbial Wisdom
- “Change is as good as a rest.” - 📚 An ideal principle to live by through our cherished idiom, stressing how refreshing alterations can be.
- Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Atticus Finch’s moral code being a breath of fresh air in a prejudiced community)
- Movies: The Truman Show (Truman realizing the truth is a breath of fresh air in his fabricated world)
- Poems: “Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley explores the renewing power of a fresh breeze.
Inspiring Farewell
Remember, life is full of chances to be someone else’s breath of fresh air 🌬️. Embrace change, invite the new, and never be afraid to open the window! ✨
### Which of these could be a description for 'a breath of fresh air'?
- [x] Bringing new and invigorating energy
- [ ] Dull and uninspiring
- [ ] Showing no activity
> **Explanation:** A breath of fresh air brings new, invigorating energy, brightening the environment.
### Which of the following is an appropriate synonym for 'a breath of fresh air'?
- [ ] Dull as a doorknob
- [x] Ray of sunshine
- [ ] Stagnant like a pond
> **Explanation:** 'Ray of sunshine' appropriately describes something new and refreshing. The others are opposite in meaning.
### True or False: 'A breath of fresh air' means something old and stale.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False! It means something refreshing and new, exactly the opposite of old and stale.
By Breezy McWitty
Published on 2023-09-30
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