Silence often speaks louder than words. This blog post explores 20 idioms that encapsulate the various aspects and nuances of silence, each conveying unique meanings and emotions. Discover how these expressions can enrich your language and enhance your understanding of quiet moments.
Idioms That Describe Silence
1. As silent as the grave
Meaning: Completely quiet, eerie silence.
Example: The abandoned house was as silent as the grave.
2. Silence is golden
Meaning: It’s often better to say nothing.
Example: At the meeting, silence was golden.
3. The silence was deafening
Meaning: A very noticeable and uncomfortable silence.
Example: After the verdict, the silence was deafening.
4. Mum’s the word
Meaning: Keep this information a secret.
Example: About the surprise party, mum’s the word.
5. Keep it under your hat
Meaning: Keep something secret.
Example: Keep the news under your hat.
6. Hold your tongue
Meaning: To refrain from speaking.
Example: He had to hold his tongue during the debate.
7. Not a peep
Meaning: No sound or communication.
Example: There was not a peep from the children.
8. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from saying something.
Example: I had to bite my tongue at the comment.
9. Hear a pin drop
Meaning: Extremely quiet.
Example: It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
10. Button your lip
Meaning: To stop talking or to keep quiet.
Example: He buttoned his lip after the warning.
11. Keep shtum
Meaning: Remain silent, especially to avoid trouble.
Example: He decided to keep shtum about the incident.
12. Put a sock in it
Meaning: To tell someone to be quiet.
Example: She told him to put a sock in it.
13. Zip your lip
Meaning: To stop talking.
Example: He zipped his lip when she entered.
14. Give it a rest
Meaning: Stop talking about something.
Example: Can you give it a rest already?
15. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take attention away from someone.
Example: Don’t steal her thunder with your news!
16. Hush-hush
Meaning: To be kept secret.
Example: The project is hush-hush.
17. Speak volumes
Meaning: Convey a lot even when quiet.
Example: Her look spoke volumes.
18. Tight-lipped
Meaning: Unwilling to speak about something.
Example: He was tight-lipped about the scandal.
19. Lose your tongue
Meaning: Be too shy or surprised to speak.
Example: Did you lose your tongue?
20. Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Why are you not speaking?
Example: What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?
