to not pause.

George didn't miss a beat when we asked him what kind of car we should buy for our daughter.

Even when she's asked embarrassing questions, she doesn't skip a beat.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form without missing a beat:

Ella forgot the words she had memorized but, without missing a beat, she made up new ones.

Etymology: based on the idea of the regular beat of music or the heart

• can't complain
• can't cut the mustard
• can't do something for nuts
• can't do something for toffee
• can't do something to save life
• can't do something to save your life
• can't for nuts
• can't for the life of me
• can't for toffee
• can't hear think
• can't hear yourself think
• can't help
• can't help something
• can't hold a candle to
• can't hold a candle to someone
• can't hold a candle to something
• can't hold a candle to something else
• can't hold drink
• can't hold liquor
• can't hold their drink
• can't hold their liquor
• can't keep eyes off
• can't keep eyes off someone
• can't keep eyes off something
• can't keep hands off