Distinguish no attack from no sound
Skipping a strum does not necessarily create silence because the strings may keep ringing. A rest that needs a clean stop requires you to control sustain. Play a chord and count four beats, then gently touch the strings to stop them at a chosen point. Listen to the release as carefully as the attack. You can use either hand where practical, but keep the motion light and avoid turning every stop into a loud percussive hit unless that effect belongs in the arrangement.
Keep time through the empty space
Strum on beat one, mute on beat two, and continue counting through beats three and four before returning on the next one. Keep the strumming hand's internal motion or a small foot pulse steady during the silence. The empty beats are part of the rhythm, not a break from counting. Practice several repetitions on one chord, then change to a new chord after the rest. The pause can provide preparation time, but it should not become longer simply because the next shape is unfamiliar.
Use the stop to shape a phrase
Find a vocal entrance, dramatic gap, or ending where a clean rest helps the song. Check its length against the recording and your verified AudioChords progression. Practice a measure before and after the stop so that the return feels connected. If you sing, speak the count once while making the stop, then restore the words and melody. In a group, agree whether the silence is fixed in time or follows a visible cue. A deliberate rest can create more contrast than another busy strum, provided every player understands both when the sound ends and when the next phrase begins.