anticipated pause

[ˌæn.tɪs.ə.peɪ.təd pɔːz]
nounpl: anticipated pauses
pausa antecipada
1. A deliberate break or silence in speech, performance, or text that is planned or expected beforehand
The speaker used an anticipated pause to let the audience absorb the important information.
O palestrante usou uma pausa antecipada para deixar a audiência absorver a informação importante.
2. In music or performance, a planned moment of silence or rest that creates dramatic effect or emphasis
The musician executed the anticipated pause with precision, heightening the emotional impact.
O músico executou a pausa antecipada com precisão, aumentando o impacto emocional.
3. In linguistics or rhetoric, a calculated silence used to enhance communication and audience engagement
The politician's anticipated pause before the punchline made the speech more effective.
A pausa antecipada do político antes do desfecho tornou o discurso mais eficaz.
Anticipated pauses are particularly valued in Brazilian public speaking and performance arts as tools for audience engagement and emotional resonance. This technique is taught extensively in communication courses and theater training in Brazil. In the USA, particularly in NYC media and performance contexts, this is often referred to as 'the pregnant pause' or used strategically in comedy and speeches for comedic or emphatic effect.
NYC Slang
the setup pause (informal)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
planned pausedeliberate silencestrategic pausecalculated breakintended rest
Antonyms / Antônimos
unexpected pausespontaneous silenceunintended breakcontinuous speechunplanned silence

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
pausa antecipada
Standard term used in educational and performance contexts
Rio de Janeiro
pausa programada
Alternative term emphasizing planning aspect
São Paulo
pausa premeditada
More formal variant used in academic discourse
Portugal
pausa prevista
Slightly different emphasis on the predictive aspect

Related Words

silencerhetoricpacingdramatic effectemphasistimingperformancepublic speaking

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat of silence
pregnant pause
dramatic pause
meaningful silence
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