with bated breath

In the days that followed the 2020 election, as the nation waited with bated breath and twisted stomach for the final call on who had won, the team at the election-tracking organization Decision Desk HQ barely slept.

“I don’t know why people assume that it is any other way. Filming is very scary because there are so many people involved. Everybody waiting with bated breath and if you get it wrong, there’s a lot of silent looking at each other and the eyes roll and there,” she sighs dramatically, “‘are we really going again?’”

Finally, with the reservoir filled with water, I plugged in the pump and stood over my creation with bated breath.

Finally, with the reservoir filled with water, I plugged in the pump and stood over my creation with bated breath.

Smith is likely waiting with bated breath to see how the Supreme Court rules on the question of whether the former president enjoys presidential immunity and whether his federal election interference prosecution can move forward.