give pause
To give somebody cause for concern.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The high price of the car gives me pause.”
“The sudden change in the company's leadership gave the investors pause before they signed the contract.”
“The strange silence in the forest gave the experienced hikers pause, as they realized they were no longer alone.”
- 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.
- 02
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 03
give a fuck
To care; to give a shit.
- 04
give a good account of oneself
To act in a creditable manner.
- 05
give a hang
give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)
- 06
give a hoot
To care about; to place value on something.
- 07
give a light
To care.
- 08
give a monkey's
To care; to have an interest or concern.
Last updated August 10, 2026