skip a beat

verb3

1. •
   To miss a beat.
2. •
   To experience a strong emotion.

   • My heart seemed to skip a beat when I parked my car at the old Safeway supermarket. My eyes gaped at the same aisles I had strolled through as a child. — 1997
3. •
   To momentarily falter.

   • THE MEGHA HAD BEEN on the water for some three hours when Piya heard the engine skip a beat. — 2005