Find the meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence from the options that follow.
It was only after the competition that Reena breathed easy.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → felt relaxed and free of tension
To breathe easy (or breathe easily) means to relax and stop worrying after a difficult or anxious time is over. Reena was tense until the competition ended; once it was over, she could relax, so she "breathed easy".
Example: The family could breathe easy only when the doctor said the operation had gone well.