It's overwhelming snatching a bit of fresh air? (12)

I believe the answer is:

breathtaking

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'it's overwhelming' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for breathtaking that I've seen before include "Awe-inspiring" , "way of getting air into the lungs" , "Awesome" , "Astounding" , "if one is not one is dead?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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