breathtaking view

Meaning

This phrase is used to describe a scene or landscape that is astonishingly beautiful, literally taking one's breath away. It is commonly used in travel contexts for mountains, oceans, or city skylines. The tone is highly positive and enthusiastic.

Examples

• We reached the summit just in time to catch a breathtaking view of the valley below.

  We reached the summit just in time to catch a breathtaking view of the valley below.

• The hotel room was expensive, but it was worth it for the breathtaking view of the ocean.

  The hotel room was expensive, but it was worth it for the breathtaking view of the ocean.

• If you hike up to the castle ruins, you'll get a breathtaking view of the entire city.

  If you hike up to the castle ruins, you'll get a breathtaking view of the entire city.

• I can't get over the breathtaking view from this rooftop terrace.

  I can't get over the breathtaking view from this rooftop terrace.

• The brochure promised a breathtaking view, but we could only see the brick wall of the next building.

  The brochure promised a breathtaking view, but we could only see the brick wall of the next building.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The mountain had a breath-taken view.

  ✓ The mountain had a breathtaking view.

  'Breathtaking' is an adjective ending in -ing. 'Breath-taken' is grammatically incorrect.

• ✗ We saw a very breathtaking view from the window.

  ✓ We saw an absolutely breathtaking view from the window.

  'Breathtaking' is an extreme adjective, so we do not usually pair it with 'very'. Use 'absolutely' or simply use 'breathtaking' on its own.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We sat on the balcony for hours, just staring at the ___ of the lake.

  💡 A two-word phrase describing an extremely beautiful scene.

  Show answer

  breathtaking view

• The top of the Eiffel Tower offers a ___ of Paris.

  💡 An amazing sight that takes your breath away.

  Show answer

  breathtaking view