verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
hesitate a moment (= not speak or do something for a short time because you are unsure of what to say or do )
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Paul hesitated a moment then followed her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
again
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Outside she hesitated again , feeling the silk shirt around her shoulders.
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Mait hesitated again , instantly suspicious.
before
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She hesitated before replying but then said, Yes, she was sure he was.
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I hesitate before hooking left and Jerome is on me with punches to my head.
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Tommy barely hesitated before saying he liked them all.
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If they had, chances are they would have hesitated before approaching her.
over
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Those within the existing Community who hesitate over future commitments would form the next circle.
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The thought came to him in an instant as he stood, hesitating over whether to join the fight.
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Coming out of the bathroom, she hesitated over which bedroom to enter.
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Most girls wouldn't hesitate over this sort of thing.
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He hesitated over recognizing or dismissing this thought.
■ NOUN
door
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I hesitated outside the door , and for just too long.
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But as they hesitate outside the door marked Geo.
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I hesitated outside her door , and then knocked.
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For example, at a social event: ò Walk straight into the room rather than hesitating nervously by the door .
moment
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For one moment he hesitated , provoking her to give in to the gentle malice which settled inside her.
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Most of them seemed to be going in search of tea and for a moment , she hesitated .
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For a moment he hesitated , nervous of breaking the strange stillness of the deserted landscape.
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For a moment she hesitated , then gave a mental shrug.
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For a moment he hesitated , savouring the moment, then centred the metal spike and pushed.
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For a moment , Renwick hesitated on the sidewalk.
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For a moment Peng Yu-wei hesitated , his duty to chaperone the children conflicting with the explicit command of the young master.
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For a moment , she hesitated .
■ VERB
ask
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I want to ask , but I hesitate .
seem
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The Wheel seemed to hesitate , then it began to roll very slowly.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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Barry stood at the door, hesitating. Should he walk straight in or knock?
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Paul started to speak but hesitated, searching for just the right words.
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She hesitated for a moment before replying.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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Had we hesitated much longer, we might not even have had the spot on the rooftop.
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He lifted his hand, hesitating, but withdrew it again and sat awhile, quite still.
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I continued my way around to the front and hesitated.
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If anyone of you is troubled or needs help please don't hesitate to contact me or my wife.
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When they reached the door she hesitated and threw him a pleading look.
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Why would any nation hesitate to serve its own best interests by such sensible and humane redirection of its wealth?