give pause
Make one hesitate
To give pause is to cause someone to hesitate or reconsider, typically by introducing doubt or concern: The safety reports gave pause to investors.
Something that gives you pause makes you stop and think before proceeding.
The phrase suggests a momentary check rather than a full stop—reason for caution, not necessarily for abandoning course.
- rethinkEvaluate again differently
- reevaluateConsider again more carefully
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
- warning signIndicator of potential danger
- yellow flagRacing slowdown signal
stop and think · uncertainty · gut feeling · nagging doubt · dilemma · doubt · second-guessing · cold feet · paradox · moral ambiguity · ambivalence · ethical conflict · misgiving · red flag · cause for concern · analyze · change of mind · skepticism