a pause

/PAWZ/ easy • Origin: Speech & theatre slang; long-standing.

A brief break or hesitation, often for effect or reflection.

There was a dramatic a pause before she answered.

break,hesitation

Used in writing, acting, or conversation.

The chip shortage came from a supply chain crunch.

They made a birthday cake in ASCII art.

I only posted that on close friends.

It’s a given that we’ll be late in traffic.

He practices cancel lite on social media.

The sequel included a major retcon.