He promised to be silent as the grave about the surprise party.
silent as the grave
idiomSaying absolutely nothing (especially about a particular subject).
Origin
disputed originPerhaps connected to the idea of taking a secret to the grave, or the idea that dead men tell no tales.
When the police asked about the missing money, the witness remained silent as the grave.
Despite the intense pressure from the investigators to reveal his source, the journalist remained silent as the grave throughout the entire interrogation.
- 01
dance on someone's grave
To celebrate a person's death or downfall triumphantly.
- 02
dig one's own grave
To behave in a way that is likely to cause one to lose or fail, including, but not limited to, result in death.
- 03
follow to the grave
To cease existence or importance with (a person or thing) upon their passing or destruction.
- 04
silent killer
A disease experienced by someone who is not symptomatic.
- 05
take someone to the grave
To kill someone; to cause someone's death.
- 06
take to the grave
To never reveal (a secret).
- 07
turn in one's grave
To be appalled, offended or disgusted by something, despite being deceased.
- 08
watery grave
The death (or loss of an inanimate object) due to drowning (sinking) in a body of water; or the underwater resting place of such a person or object.