give pause

Idioms  

1. Cause one to hesitate, as in The high monthly installment payments gave me pause, or, as Shakespeare put it in Hamlet (3:1): “For in that sleep of death what dreams may come ... Must give us pause.” [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

give pause

Some of Pulte’s annotations might give pause to those already worried about him overseeing America’s intelligence community.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

Manchester's growth should give pause for thought to much of the rest of the country.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026

“This list should give pause to anyone—no matter his or her political beliefs—who cares about the rule of law,” Schiltz, an appointee of President George W. Bush, said in a written order.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

That may give pause to businesses hoping to hire chatbots to cut their human payrolls.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2023

None of these things alone will probably give pause to our plans, but all will weigh in our general satisfaction or disagreement with suburban life.

From The Complete Home by Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth) Laughlin