miss a beat
phrase
chiefly US
: to have difficulty in continuing : to stop or hesitate briefly
—often used in negative constructions
The company changed ownership without missing a beat.
A few minutes later, the power cuts out …, but Achmed doesn't miss a beat; clearly, he's used to this.—
Eric Weiner
Eric WeinerExamples of miss a beat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Considering flight attendants spend the majority of their week living out of a suitcase, their luggage has to be truly top-tier—capable of holding all of their work essentials, personal items, and more without missing a beat.
—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
Debuting in 2025 and not missing a beat in its 2026 second season, the medical drama is the very first TV show to capture the post-pandemic era of America.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
Debuting in 2025 and not missing a beat in its 2026 second season, the medical drama is the very first TV show to capture the post-pandemic era of America.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Miss a beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miss%20a%20beat. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
