as I live and breathe

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. Used to declare the truth of a statement with emphasis.
  2. Used to express surprise at an experience one is witnessing.
  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see as, I, live, and, breathe.

Pronunciation

/æz aɪ lɪv ænd bɹiːð/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-as I live and breathe.wav /æz aɪ lɪv ænd bɹið/

Word forms

as I live and breathe

Etymology

Originally a reference to the speaker’s statement being as true as the fact that the speaker is alive (see sense 1).

Synonyms

as I live I declare
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