breathing space

plural breathing spaces · alternative breathing-space

1. countableuncountableSufficient space or a span of time in which to recover one's breath.

   He reeled, and on Herminius He leaned one breathing-space; Then, like a wild cat mad with wounds, Sprang right at Astur's face.

   1842, Thomas Babbington Macaulay, Horatius, stanza 45

   Synonyms: breathing room, breathing spell, breathing while

2. countableuncountableA rest, pause, or respite.
3. countableuncountableEnough distance so that one can feel unfettered.

   Don't fret, in our division you get a lot of breathing space.

   2 more examples

   By this time the difference between first and third class accommodation had become nominal, and was measured in "breathing space" during peak hours rather than in quality.

   1951 January, “The Inner Circle and its Rolling Stock”, in Railway Magazine, page 58

   Martin Kelly then finished with power to provide some breathing space before Craig Dawson’s scored his fourth goal in five England Under-21 appearances with a looping header.

   2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph