# silent as the grave

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/silent-as-the-grave
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Saying absolutely nothing (especially about a particular subject).

## Examples

- He promised to be silent as the grave about the surprise party.
- 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.

## Origin

The phrase is perhaps connected to the notion of taking a secret to the grave, or the observation that dead men tell no tales. Both theories suggest that absolute silence is best secured by the finality of interment. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.