change of pace

American  

[cheynj uhv peys] / ˈtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈpeɪs /

noun

1. temporary shift or variation in a normal routine or regular pattern of activity.

   Reading a mystery novel has been a real change of pace for me.

2. Baseball: Older Use. changeup.

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change of pace Idioms  

1. A shift in normal routine, a variation in usual activities or pattern, as in She's smiling in that one photo, just for a change of pace, or After six hours at my desk I need a change of pace, so I'm going for a swim. This term originated in a number of sports where strategy can involve altering the speed of, for example, a pitched or struck ball or a horse's gait. By the mid-1900s it was being transferred to other enterprises.

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Etymology

Origin of change of pace

First recorded in 1650–60; 1865–70 change of pace for def. 2

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

change of pace

That would be a welcome change of pace.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

British singer-songwriter James Blake offered a change of pace over at the New Music stage during the evening, where his silky voice could be heard reverberating through the tent.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

He’d recently divorced after 28 years of marriage, his relationship with Hollywood was running on fumes, and he needed a change of pace.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026

If investors have grown weary of war headlines and the way they have whipsawed markets in recent weeks, the coming earnings seasons might offer a welcome change of pace, and tenor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026

I’m sure it’s at least partly to do with that, to do with preparing for the change of pace, that I’ve been getting this urge to order all these old memories.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro