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miss a beat

miss a beat

Hesitate momentarily, out of embarrassment or confusion. This expression is most often used in a negative context, as in He sidestepped the reporter's probe into his personal life without missing a beat, or Not missing a beat, she outlined all the reasons for her decision. This expression alludes to the regular beat of musical time. [Mid-1900s]
See also: beat, miss

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jarogniewyah-RAWG-nyefPolish (Rare)
Antonie (2)AHN-taw-neeDutch
Crescens-Late Roman, Biblical Latin
Ramaz-Georgian
Agar-Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
EphraimEE-free-im (English), EE-frəm (English), E-free-im (English), E-frəm (English)Biblical, Jewish, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
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