miss a beat

1. Hesitate momentarily, out of embarrassment or confusion. This expression is most often used in a negative context, as in He sidestepped the reporter's probe into his personal life without missing a beat, or Not missing a beat, she outlined all the reasons for her decision. This expression alludes to the regular beat of musical time. [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

When Wood Jr. teased the panel to guess which restaurant was listed as “opening soon,” Ruffin didn’t miss a beat: “How? Everything is already in there!”

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While Kupp’s legend will live here forever, as long as they have Stafford, the Rams won’t miss a beat.

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"She's just been amazing, didn't miss a beat," the post added.

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Thomas, his dad and the group’s facilitator, does not miss a beat.

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Coach Charles Solomon said in the morning, “We played great, like we didn’t miss a beat. We had 12 threes. I asked them, ‘Do you want me to make up all the games we missed even if it means playing twice in a day?

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