give (someone) pause (for thought)

formal

if something gives you pause, it is surprising or worrying and it makes you think more carefully about something.

It was a tragedy which gave us all pause for thought.

• if can help it
• If can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
• I feel it in my bones.
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
• if it comes to the crunch
• if it weren't for
• if it weren't for someone
• if it weren't for something
• if knows what's good for
• if knows what's good for them
• If looks could kill...
• if memory serves
• If Mohammed will not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed.
• if need be
• if push comes to shove
• if someone knows what's good for
• if someone knows what's good for them
• If someone thinks something, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks something, they've got another think coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another thing coming!
• If someone thinks, they've got another think coming!
• If the cap fits .
• If the cap fits wear it.
• if the going gets rough