ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deafening silence

idiom
Meaning

A noteworthy silence, or absence of response, especially one signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm.


Examples
SIMPLE

The room was filled with a deafening silence after his rude comment.

CONTEXTUAL

When the manager asked for volunteers to work the weekend, the team responded with a deafening silence.

COMPLEX

The politician waited for applause, but the crowd offered only a deafening silence that signaled their clear disapproval of his new policy.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    blue wall of silence

    Strict secretiveness maintained by the members of a police force with respect to information which might be contrary to their interests, especially information concerning questionable police actions.

  2. 02

    dead silence

    A particularly notable/awkward silence or absence of response.

  3. 03

    pact of silence

    A tacit agreement not to discuss a certain topic

  4. 04

    speech is silver, silence is golden

    Not saying anything is often better than speaking too much or saying something inappropriate.

  5. 05

    suffer in silence

    To tolerate a bad situation without complaining.

  6. 06

    wall of silence

    Strict secretiveness maintained by the members of a group with respect to information which might be contrary to their interests, especially information concerning questionable actions by members of the group.

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