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

The desire for a change of pace started back in 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026

I don’t want to sugarcoat the challenge of finding a job in your 60s, but a change of pace might help you feel differently about still working.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 5, 2026

Cuddy agreed that the latest tip was probably another wild goose chase, but at least it offered a change of pace.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson