ENGLISH
REFERENCE

give pause

idiom
Meaning

To give somebody cause for concern.


Examples
SIMPLE

The high price of the car gives me pause.

CONTEXTUAL

The sudden change in the company's leadership gave the investors pause before they signed the contract.

COMPLEX

The strange silence in the forest gave the experienced hikers pause, as they realized they were no longer alone.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    don't give up your day job

    Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.

  2. 02

    give a damn

    To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).

  3. 03

    give a fuck

    To care; to give a shit.

  4. 04

    give a good account of oneself

    To act in a creditable manner.

  5. 05

    give a hang

    give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)

  6. 06

    give a hoot

    To care about; to place value on something.

  7. 07

    give a light

    To care.

  8. 08

    give a monkey's

    To care; to have an interest or concern.

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