Confusables Entry 56 / 1011 60-second read

Baited vs. Bated

Using a lure versus holding your breath.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

We waited for the results with baited breath.

✓ Correct

We waited for the results with bated breath.

The ruleii

BAITED = having bait attached (for fishing or traps).

The phrase 'bated breath' is so common, yet the word 'bated' is almost never used elsewhere, leading people to use the more familiar 'bait'.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Bated is short for 'abated' (reduced).

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