pause for effect

pause for effect

To pause while speaking so as to make one's delivery more dramatic or impactful. I paused for effect before telling my family that I got the promotion. Beaming, Rachel paused for effect before shrieking, "We're engaged!"
See also: effect, pause
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • (important) milestone in (one's) life
  • important
  • milestone
  • milestone in life
  • collect
  • collect (one's) thoughts
  • collect thoughts
  • winged words
  • a pregnant pause/silence
  • pregnant pause