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

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Cite this Entry

“Miss a beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miss%20a%20beat. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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