a pregnant pause

pregnant pause

A long pause in speech that indicates a lot of meaning or significance. There was a pregnant pause when the topic changed to Grandpa's will, and everyone could tell that something shocking was about to be revealed. The most telling part of his speech was the pregnant pause before he denied any wrongdoing.
See also: pause, pregnant
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a pregnant pause (or silence)

a pause or silence that is laden with meaning or significance.
See also: pause, pregnant
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a pregnant ˈpause/ˈsilence

a pause/silence in which everyone is waiting or listening for something, or a moment of silence which is full of meaning: There was a pregnant pause while everyone waited to hear what she had to say.
See also: pause, pregnant, silence
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a pregnant pause/silence
  • pregnant
  • pregnant pause
  • pregnant silence
  • pregnant with (something)
  • take time out
  • not give (something) a second thought
  • get on with (something)
  • get on with it
  • pause for effect
References in periodicals archive
Maybe a pregnant pause is needed between the two programmes ...
A pregnant pause needed! TellyView
He cleared his throat and read loudly from the crumpled sheet: "There was a pregnant pause, followed by a lot of tiny pauses" before flinging the transcript in my face.
Highbrow talk raises eyebrows
THERE was definitely a pregnant pause when shocked Birmingham patient Teresa Orr found out she was about to have a baby.
Baby surprise for delighted Teresa; LATE STARTER: 48-year-old rare example of first pregnancy at such a late age
A PREGNANT PAUSE...Danielle tells Ronnie her secret
Soap stories: Danielle's baby joy short lived; EASTENDERS MONDAY, STV, 7pm
ACTRESS Lindsay Lohan enjoys a pregnant pause on a movie shoot in Los Angeles.
Li-Lo's looking so swell
And for a Republican Party tangled in its own oppressive dogma, a pregnant pause could be a godsend.
A tale of two Marys
A pregnant pause is not bad at this point; it may cause the employer to rationalize the amount, and it will give you more time to think.
Negotiating your salary: don't walk into an interview blind. Be prepared to talk terms. (Book Excerpt)
THERE was a pregnant pause at the recent V Festival at Weston Park in Stafford when one of the bands took to the stage without their guitarist.
Nothing to fret about... Hancock
A pregnant pause takes on a new meaning, but curiosity wins.
The Wendy House; MSP WENDY ALEXANDER IS EXPECTING TWINS ON VALENTINE'S DAY THE FIRST-TIME MUM WILL BE OPENING HER DIARY TO US IN THE RUN-UP TO THE BIG DAY. HERE SHE POSES THE QUESTION MOST PREGNANT WOMEN ASK: DON'T WE HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT WITHOUT A DAILY DIET OF ALARM ING RESEARCH REPORTS?
THERE was a pregnant pause in Glasgow last night as pop trio Atomic Kitten kept Scots fans waiting.
Fans still smitten by Kittens despite delay; Off The Record