Use when something is unexpectedly beautiful or impressive, creating a strong positive reaction. Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time really took my breath away.
Pro Tip 2/3
Figurative Speech
It's a figure of speech, meaning no one actually loses their breath. It expresses a feeling. Her performance was so moving, it took my breath away.
Pro Tip 3/3
Emotional Impact
It often describes something that deeply affects one's emotions, not just a visual impact. The ending of that movie took my breath away.