Is it "bated breath" or "baited breath"?
"Bated breath." Bated means held back; baited would mean set with a trap.
A little morei
The phrase comes from abated — shortened breath, as when you are anxious or anticipating something. Baited suggests a hook with a worm on it, which makes no sense here. It is one of the phrases spellcheck cannot help you with.
The full entryii
Confusables
Baited vs. Bated
Using a lure versus holding your breath.
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