give pause

verb

To cause (someone) to hesitate and think carefully about something, giving (the person) cause to be unsure or concerned about something.

“Here is a fact that will give you pause: some states do not publish the voting records of their legislators.”

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Meanings

verbgive pause (third-person singular simple present gives pause, present participle giving pause, simple past gave pause, past participle given pause)

present singular third person gives pause · participle present giving pause · past gave pause · participle past given pause

  1. idiomaticTo cause (someone) to hesitate and think carefully about something, giving (the person) cause to be unsure or concerned about something.

    Here is a fact that will give you pause: some states do not publish the voting records of their legislators.

    1 more example

    I was going to put up the new logo, since a majority of people like it a little better than the old one, but the ferocity of those who think it's terrible gives me pause.

Translations

Polish zmuszać do refleksji, zmusić do refleksji
  • zmuszać do refleksjiTranslations
  • zmusić do refleksjiTranslations
Spanish (hacer) preocupar / detener, dar que pensar
  • (hacer) preocupar / detenerTranslations
  • dar que pensarTranslations
  • dar en qué pensarTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

give pause. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20pause

MLA

“give pause.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20pause. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give pause,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20pause.

Source: give pause on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.