breathing-space

Noun

breathing space (countable and uncountable, plural breathing spaces)

1. Sufficient 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. A rest, pause, or respite.
3. Enough distance so that one can feel unfettered.
   • Don't fret, in our division you get a lot of breathing space.