Hesitate over Meaning in English
expression
ˈhɛzəˌteɪt/ /ˈoʊvɝ
HEZ-uh-tayt OH-vur
hˈɛsɪtˌeɪt/ /ˈəʊvɐ
HES-i-tayt OH-vuh
Definition
To pause or be unsure about making a decision or taking action, usually because you are uncertain or nervous about it.
Usage & Nuances
Usually followed by what the person is unsure about ('hesitate over a decision'). Slightly formal; common in written English. Synonyms: 'waffle', 'dither'; less common in conversation than simply 'hesitate' or 'think twice about'.
Spanish: dudar sobre - vacilar enPortuguese (BR): hesitar sobre - vacilar sobrePortuguese (PT): hesitar sobre - vacilar sobreChinese (Simplified): 对...犹豫 - 对...迟疑Chinese (Traditional): 對...猶豫 - 對...遲疑Hindi: के बारे में झिझकनाArabic: يتردد بشأنBengali: দ্বিধা করা - সিদ্ধান্তে চলাচল করতে হোচট খাওয়াRussian: колебаться (по поводу) - раздумыватьJapanese: 迷う - ためらうVietnamese: phân vân về - do dự vềKorean: 갈등하다 - 망설이다Turkish: tereddüt etmek - kararsız kalmakUrdu: ہچکچاناIndonesian: ragu-ragu tentang - bimbang tentang
Example Sentences
She always hesitates over big decisions.
basic
Don’t hesitate over what to order, just pick something!
basic
He hesitated over signing the contract.
basic
They spent hours hesitating over the color for the living room.
natural
If you hesitate over every detail, you'll never finish.
natural
People often hesitate over whether to speak up in meetings.
natural