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

This year’s surging turmoil — new crises, new wars and new economic slumps — would give pause to the greatest of optimists.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 28, 2023

It is true that the affairs of the mind give pause and seem to present something of a difficulty.

From Spencer's Philosophy of Science The Herbert Spencer Lecture Delivered at the Museum 7 November, 1913 by C. Lloyd (Conwy Lloyd) Morgan