miss a beat

Idioms  

1. Hesitate momentarily, out of embarrassment or confusion. This expression is most often used in a negative context, as in He sidestepped the reporter's probe into his personal life without missing a beat, or Not missing a beat, she outlined all the reasons for her decision. This expression alludes to the regular beat of musical time. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

We didn't miss a beat with Alex in the team and what still stands out now is how quickly he convinced me he was up to it.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar – One night, about 100 women from the Women in Auto Care conference I was attending descended on this place with zero warning — and the staff didn’t miss a beat.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The Serbian big man did not miss a beat.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

And when Seattle signed him this past offseason, he didn’t miss a beat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

His white fur seems to flow through the morning mist, and he doesn’t miss a beat.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen