break stride

break (one's) stride

To cease moving one's legs at a certain rhythm or pace. I had to break my stride to avoid the big branch in the middle of the path. That car horn startled me so much I broke my stride and almost tripped over a curb. You can't break your stride for a second if you want to beat Holly in the race—that girl is fast.

See also: break, stride

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

break one's stride

to deviate from a rhythmic stride while walking, running, or marching. After I broke my stride, I never could pick up enough speed to win the race.

See also: break, stride

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.