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Phrase(s): come up for air
1. Lit. to lift one’s head out of the water to breathe. • After staying under water for almost a minute, Jason had to come up for air. 2. Fig. to stop what one is doing for a different activity or rest. • Whenever you get off the phone and come up for air, I have a question for you. • I want you to go to the store for me when you come up for air. 3. Fig. to stop kissing for a moment and breathe. • Don’t those kids ever come up for air? • When are you two going to come up for air?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs