remain silent
fixed phrase.fixed phrase. to stay quiet and not say anything, especially when you are in a difficult situation or being questioned by the police.
fixed phrase. to refrain from speaking or providing information. Often carries a legal or formal pragmatic weight, specifically referring to a suspect's right to avoid self-incrimination during an interrogation.
You have the right to remain silent.
During the meeting, he chose to remain silent rather than argue with his boss.
The defendant was advised by his counsel to remain silent throughout the preliminary hearing to avoid any potential misinterpretation of his testimony.
frequently used in legal contexts or to describe a deliberate choice not to speak in a social setting.
highlight the 'right to remain silent' as a cultural and legal touchstone in English-speaking countries; contrast with 'keep quiet' which is more common in everyday domestic life.
He remained silently during the interview.He remained silent during the interview.the verb 'remain' is a linking verb and must be followed by an adjective, not an adverb.