gives pause

A form of give pause — To cause (someone) to hesitate and think carefully about something, giving (the person) cause to be unsure or concerned about something.

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Meanings

verb
  1. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of give pause
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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