Breathe on them with a little cough (3)
I believe the answer is:
hem
'breathe' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'them with a little cough' is the wordplay.
'HEM' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I am unsure how the hidden word is indicated.
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hem that I've seen before include "Double-backed border of a garment" , "try to attract attention" , "Stitched edge of garment" , "Finished edge of a piece of cloth" , "Double-backed cloth border" .)