give pause (redirected from pause)

give someone pause (for thought)

Fig. to cause someone to stop and think. When I see a golden sunrise, it gives me pause for thought. Witnessing an accident is likely to give all of us pause.

See also: give

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give somebody pause (for thought)  (formal)

if something gives you pause, it is surprising or worrying and it makes you think more carefully about something It was a tragedy which gave us all pause for thought.

See also: give

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give somebody pause also give pause to somebody

to cause someone to stop and think carefully Surviving a serious car wreck is an experience that really gives you pause.

See also: give