breath and britches
The phrase "breath and britches" is a Southern US idiomatic expression that highlights the minimal qualities or essentials that define a person, particularly a man.
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Definition
C2Southern US
(figurative, informal)Refers to someone who possesses only the most basic qualities or minimal substance.
Example
- He was nothing more than breath and britches, barely contributing to the team's success.
C2Southern US
(figurative, informal)Describes a person who is extremely thin, implying they have little more than their breath and the clothes they wear.
Example
- After months of illness, he was reduced to nothing but breath and britches.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "breath and britches":