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

“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

It adds: "We question how any department can consider that a foreign country single-handedly running our nuclear power stations shouldn't give pause for thought."

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2023

From North Vancouver, British Columbia, Bedard has done nothing to give pause to the high projections after posting 100-point seasons in back-to-back years with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2023

That ought to give pause to the Amalgamated Sorehead Society.

From Marjorie Dean, College Senior by Lester, Pauline