give pause for thought

give (one) pause for thought

To cause one to take a moment to consider something. I'd love to buy a house, but the fact that I'd have to completely deplete my savings account to do it gives me pause for thought.
See also: give, pause, thought
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

give (somebody) pause for ˈthought

,

give (somebody) ˈpause

(formal) make somebody think seriously about something or hesitate before doing something: His remarks on the conditions in our prisons gave me pause for thought. Until that moment I’d never realized things were so bad.
See also: give, pause, thought
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • give (one) pause for thought
  • give pause to (one)
  • give pause to someone
  • pause
  • give pause
  • give (one) pause
  • (one's) other half
  • your other half
  • if I had (some monetary unit) for every (something), I'd be rich!
  • I'd as leave do
References in periodicals archive
"The modest rate of increase in Grade As overall in Wales since 2012, just 1.8%, as opposed to 5.3% for the UK as a whole should also give pause for thought. Some of the English regions have leap-frogged over us in that regard."
On that basis, some countries such as twice-bailed out Greece and struggling France, have called for an easing in the austerity policies adopted to tame the crisis, but yesterday's figures may give pause for thought in doing so.
But it does give pause for thought, as does Bull's repeated use of the rhetorical question as a mode of argument.
Jo Henry, director at Nielsen Book, said: "This dramatic drop in engagement with reading in the first half of 2013--seen in the context of an 8% drop in the number of books bought for those aged under 17--will give pause for thought for anyone involved in children's publishing, particularly at the older end of the market, which has seen the greatest decline."
And while that is brilliant news for those people and for the children who will now, as a result, have a family it is a figure which should give pause for thought. For if you add to that the fact that at any one time there are 40 children approved for adoption and in need of a permanent home then these are figures which make disappointing reading.
If not, and if you are charged duty on your shirts and trousers that you bought from Cabela's and have happily worn for the last five years, there is little to be said or done--but you will no doubt give pause for thought when selecting your next African hunting destination.--Editor
The thought of the potential consequences give pause for thought. How many crimes will go unsolved, criminals unpunished and victims with no justice without these officers around?
Yet the recent allegations by former Finance Minister Andrew Davies give pause for thought in this context.
Maybe, however, the shock and scandal that has arisen this week over these defective vehicles should give pause for thought. As many motorists over 50 will attest, there was a time when motorcars leaving the manufacturers were frequently defective, either because of a design fault or shoddy workmanship.