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Meaning & use

on pause

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ɒn ˈpɔːz/
US/ɑːn ˈpɔːz/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Temporarily stopped on a device, so that a video, song or game can be continued from the same point.

    Grammar: Often follows be or put: the video is on pause, put the film on pause.

    Patterns

    • be on pause
    • put something on pause

    The movie is on pause while I answer the door.

    She left the podcast on pause and went to make tea.

    Is the game on pause, or has it frozen?

  2. phrasefixed phraseinformalfigurative

    Delayed for a while, with an intention to continue later, said of plans, projects or parts of life.

    Grammar: Used figuratively after be, put or keep: our plans are on pause.

    Patterns

    • put something on pause
    • keep something on pause

    Our wedding plans are on pause until the visa arrives.

    She put her studies on pause to care for her father.

    The project has been on pause since the budget review.

Common combinations

put on pause
We put the renovation on pause when the money ran out.
on pause indefinitely
The tour is on pause indefinitely after the injury.
keep on pause
I am keeping my career on pause for a year.
life on pause
Many people felt as though their life was on pause during the lockdown.

Synonyms and how they differ

on hold
On hold is the closest match and is usually the more common choice for projects, but on pause fits devices and personal pauses better.
suspended
Suspended is more formal and used for official matters, such as a service or a player.
postponed
Postponed means moved to a later date, while on pause just means not moving right now.
shelved
Shelved suggests a plan may never be taken up again, which on pause does not.

Opposites

in progressresumed

Word family

pause noun
a short stop in action or speech
pause verb
to stop for a short time
paused adjective
temporarily stopped
pausing noun
the act of making a brief stop

Commonly confused: on pause or on hold?

on pause vs on hold

On hold is used on the phone when you wait for someone, as well as for delayed plans. On pause is more about stopping something already running.

Practice

Which choice best completes: 'We had to put the building project ___ until we found more money.'

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