missing a beat

USAGE SUMMARY

"missing a beat" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used to communicate that someone has pause before continuing a conversation. For example: "The room went silent as the news was shared, everyone missing a beat before the questions started pouring in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was missing a beat.

The New Yorker

"Yes," she replied without missing a beat.

The Economist

Without missing a beat, Brondello said, "Exactly".

The New York Times

I'm not missing a beat".

The New York Times

The man replied without missing a beat.

The Guardian - Books

"Yes," Borsak replied, without missing a beat.

The Guardian

"They're not missing a beat this year.

The New York Times - Sports

" Yuan," her students chant, without missing a beat.

The Washington Post

"Complacency," Janet Napolitano says without missing a beat.

The Washington Post

Without missing a beat Ahmet said: "Show him in".

Independent

"Oh, it's terrific," Ms. Jarrett said, without missing a beat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "missing a beat" to describe a momentary pause or hesitation in speech, action, or performance, especially when the expectation is for continuous flow.

Common error

Avoid using "missing a beat" in literal contexts, such as referring to a physically skipped heartbeat, unless the intention is metaphorical. This phrase is best suited for describing interruptions in rhythm, flow, or expected patterns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing a beat" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a momentary pause or hesitation. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid and commonly used expression. The examples show it's often used adverbially to describe how an action is performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missing a beat" is a versatile and commonly used idiomatic expression that describes a momentary pause or hesitation. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use and grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase effectively conveys interruptions in rhythm or flow, both literally and figuratively. To ensure clarity, avoid literal interpretations outside of metaphorical contexts. Using alternatives like "hesitating" or "pausing" can provide similar meaning, while avoiding misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing a beat

Indicates a slight disruption or error in rhythm or flow.

dropping a beat

Suggests a more noticeable interruption or failure to maintain rhythm.

wasting a beat

Emphasizes the loss of time or opportunity due to hesitation.

hesitating

Focuses on the pause or delay in action or speech.

pausing

Similar to hesitating, but can also indicate a deliberate stop for emphasis.

stumbling

Suggests a lack of smoothness or coordination in speech or action.

faltering

Implies a weakening or loss of confidence, leading to a pause.

taking a pause

Highlights the act of intentionally stopping momentarily.

experiencing a delay

More formal and emphasizes the unexpected nature of the pause.

momentarily disrupted

Formal and emphasizes the interruption in the flow.

FAQs

How can I use "missing a beat" in a sentence?

You can use "missing a beat" to describe a brief pause or hesitation, as in, "She answered without "missing a beat"" or "He was "missing a beat" in his performance".

What does it mean to say someone is "missing a beat"?

Saying someone is "missing a beat" generally means they have paused or hesitated momentarily, either in speech, action, or understanding. It suggests a brief interruption in an otherwise steady flow.

What can I say instead of "missing a beat"?

Alternatives include "hesitating", "pausing", or "momentarily disrupted", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone did something "without missing a beat"?

Yes, it's correct. "Without "missing a beat"" means someone did something immediately and smoothly, without any hesitation or delay.