Signification
Being anxious or excited for news.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, football is more than a game; it's a collective experience. The phrase is used by commentators to describe the silence in a stadium before a crucial play. The 'Giallo' genre of thrillers is famous for its tension. Critics often use this phrase to praise a director's ability to maintain suspense. Historically, the 'fiato sospeso' was the desired reaction for a dramatic 'colpo di scena' (plot twist) in Italian opera. On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, influencers use this phrase in captions to build hype for an upcoming announcement.
Use 'Stare' for the state
While 'avere' is correct, 'stare col fiato sospeso' sounds much more natural in spoken Italian when describing how you feel right now.
Agreement Trap
Don't change 'sospeso' to 'sospesa' or 'sospesi'. It always stays masculine singular because it's the breath (il fiato) that is suspended.
Signification
Being anxious or excited for news.
Use 'Stare' for the state
While 'avere' is correct, 'stare col fiato sospeso' sounds much more natural in spoken Italian when describing how you feel right now.
Agreement Trap
Don't change 'sospeso' to 'sospesa' or 'sospesi'. It always stays masculine singular because it's the breath (il fiato) that is suspended.
Journalism Hack
If you read Italian news, look for this phrase in headlines about elections or sports—it's the most common way to describe national anticipation.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Durante il rigore finale, tutto lo stadio era col ______ ______.
The standard idiom is 'fiato sospeso'.
Which verb is typically used to mean 'to keep someone in suspense'?
Il regista ______ il pubblico col fiato sospeso.
'Tenere qualcuno col fiato sospeso' is the standard transitive form.
Match the situation to the correct expression.
You are waiting for the final result of a reality show.
'Senza fiato' is for physical exhaustion; 'fiato sospeso' is for suspense.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hai saputo se hai vinto il concorso?' B: 'No, non ancora. ______ tutto il giorno.'
'Sto col fiato sospeso' describes the ongoing state of waiting.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDurante il rigore finale, tutto lo stadio era col ______ ______.
The standard idiom is 'fiato sospeso'.
Il regista ______ il pubblico col fiato sospeso.
'Tenere qualcuno col fiato sospeso' is the standard transitive form.
You are waiting for the final result of a reality show.
'Senza fiato' is for physical exhaustion; 'fiato sospeso' is for suspense.
A: 'Hai saputo se hai vinto il concorso?' B: 'No, non ancora. ______ tutto il giorno.'
'Sto col fiato sospeso' describes the ongoing state of waiting.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, for a beautiful view use 'mozzafiato'. 'Fiato sospeso' is for suspense and waiting.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but you'll also see it in serious newspapers.
'Avere' is 'to have' the state, 'stare' is 'to be in' the state. They are mostly interchangeable, but 'stare' is more common in speech.
It's grammatically correct but sounds very literal, like you are physically holding your breath underwater. Use the idiomatic forms for emotions.
Expressions liées
mozzafiato
similarBreathtaking
stare sulle spine
synonymTo be on pins and needles
essere in ansia
similarTo be anxious
mancare il fiato
contrastTo be short of breath
