---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a sound to waiting. It sounds…"
description: "\"“There is a sound to waiting. It sounds like held breath pounding its fists against the walls of the lung, damp and muffled beats.”\" — Jean Hanff Korelitz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_quote_there-is-a-sound-to-waiting-it-sounds-li_1216058.jpg"
---

#  There is a sound to waiting. It sounds like held breath…

![“There is a sound to waiting. It sounds like held breath pounding its fists against the walls of the lung, damp and muffled beats.” quote by Jean Hanff Korelitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_quote_there-is-a-sound-to-waiting-it-sounds-li_1216058.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_quote_there-is-a-sound-to-waiting-it-sounds-li_1216058.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_quote_there-is-a-sound-to-waiting-it-sounds-li_1216058.jpg)

> ““There is a sound to waiting. It sounds like held breath pounding its fists against the walls of the lung, damp and muffled beats.””

[Jean Hanff Korelitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-hanff-korelitz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Waiting creates an intense, physical sensation of anticipation that feels like a clenched breath struggling within the chest.

**In simple terms:** Waiting feels like a tight, noisy breath.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge and manage anxiety while waiting.

Themes

anticipation patience stress psychology

Mood

tense reflective

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

- job interview
- medical test results
- creative project deadline
- relationship uncertainty

Key Concepts

physiology of breath emotional tension mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- How does your body react when you wait?
- What strategies calm the internal pressure?

A Different Perspective

The metaphor may exaggerate the experience for dramatic effect.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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