Break dictator's hands (5)
I believe the answer is:
pause
'break' is the definition.
('pause' can be a synonym of 'break')
'dictator's hands' is the wordplay.
'dictator's' shows a homophone (sound like) (as somebody dictating would pronounce the word).
'hands' becomes 'paws' ('paw' can be a synonym of 'hand').
'paws' is a homophone of 'PAUSE'.
(Other definitions for pause that I've seen before include "Hesitate; delay" , "Stop temporarily" , "Stop for a moment" , "Temporary stop or hesitation" , "Short break" .)