give (someone) pause

idiom

Definition of give (someone) pause

: to cause (someone) to stop and think about something carefully or to have doubts about something I was going to ask her for help, but the look on her face gave me pause.

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Dictionary Entries Near give (someone) pause

give (someone or something) a wide berth

give (someone) pause

give (someone) pause for thought

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Cite this Entry

“Give (someone) pause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20pause. Accessed 21 Sep. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA