The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word HESITATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
H
E
S
I
T
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result HESITATE
- Fellow's beginning to influence Gallery? Demur
- Ambassador's worried about technology delay
- Some sunbathe? Sit at eateries? Don’t all rush!
- Have an aversion to eating European perch? Think twice!
- Think twice about abandoning cultivated aesthetic
- Shocked at these, I pause
- Delay from His Excellency – nation is invaded by India
- Get lost in proverb
- Loathing having to be injected with drug, take a seat and dither
- Pause at these, I suspect
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "pause" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case pause = hesitate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HESITATE mean?
HESITATE verb- To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
- To stammer; to falter in speaking.
- To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.