Sometimes we need quiet. Maybe we’re thinking, listening, or feeling shy. Silence can feel peaceful, serious, or even a little awkward. In English, there are many idioms that use the idea of silence to describe these moments. Idioms are special phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, but they help us explain things in a clear and fun way.
In this article, we’ll explore idioms for silence. These expressions help us talk about quiet moments, stillness, and the times when people don’t speak. Let’s see how these idioms can help describe different kinds of silence.
Idioms for Silence
1. Silence is golden
Meaning: Being quiet can be valuable or peaceful.
Samples: We sat together and said nothing silence is golden. / In the library, silence is golden.
To Put it Another Way: Quiet is good. / Silence can be nice.
2. Dead silence
Meaning: Complete and total quiet.
Samples: There was dead silence after the loud crash. / The class went into dead silence when the principal walked in.
To Put it Another Way: No sound at all. / Totally quiet.
3. Pin drop silence
Meaning: So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Samples: It was pin drop silence in the room. / The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
To Put it Another Way: Extremely quiet. / No one made a sound.
4. Not a word
Meaning: Saying nothing at all.
Samples: She didn’t say a word about the surprise. / He kept quiet not a word.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t speak. / Said nothing.
5. Hold your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from speaking.
Samples: I had to hold my tongue and not answer back. / He held his tongue during the discussion.
To Put it Another Way: Stayed quiet. / Didn’t say what you were thinking.
6. Cat got your tongue?
Meaning: Asking someone why they are not speaking.
Samples: What’s wrong cat got your tongue? / She just smiled maybe the cat got her tongue.
To Put it Another Way: Why so quiet? / You’re not talking.
7. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from saying something you want to say.
Samples: I had to bite my tongue to stay polite. / She bit her tongue instead of answering back.
To Put it Another Way: Chose not to speak. / Held back words.
8. Go silent
Meaning: Stop talking suddenly.
Samples: He went silent when asked about the homework. / The class went silent after the warning.
To Put it Another Way: Stopped talking. / Became quiet.
9. Mouth zipped shut
Meaning: Staying completely quiet.
Samples: Her mouth was zipped shut during the test. / He kept his mouth zipped shut about the plan.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t speak at all. / Stayed silent.
10. Keep quiet
Meaning: Don’t talk.
Samples: Please keep quiet in the library. / He kept quiet during the movie.
To Put it Another Way: Stay silent. / Don’t make noise.
11. Button your lip
Meaning: Be quiet or stop talking.
Samples: Button your lip during the meeting. / He told her to button her lip and listen.
To Put it Another Way: Be quiet. / Don’t speak.
12. Stone silent
Meaning: Very still and quiet.
Samples: The classroom was stone silent after the bell rang. / She stood stone silent when the teacher looked at her.
To Put it Another Way: Completely silent. / Totally quiet.
13. Keep it under wraps
Meaning: Keep something secret.
Samples: Keep the surprise under wraps. / The plan was kept under wraps until Friday.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t tell. / Stay quiet about it.
14. Without a sound
Meaning: Do something quietly.
Samples: He left the room without a sound. / The cat moved without a sound.
To Put it Another Way: Very quiet. / Not noisy at all.
15. Quiet as a mouse
Meaning: Extremely quiet.
Samples: She was quiet as a mouse during the test. / He walked in quiet as a mouse.
To Put it Another Way: Silent. / Made no noise.
16. Say nothing
Meaning: Don’t talk.
Samples: He decided to say nothing about the mistake. / She said nothing during the meeting.
To Put it Another Way: Stayed silent. / Didn’t speak.
17. Dead quiet
Meaning: Completely silent.
Samples: The room was dead quiet during the movie. / After the noise, it went dead quiet.
To Put it Another Way: Totally still. / No sound at all.
18. Sealed lips
Meaning: Promise not to tell.
Samples: I have sealed lips I won’t tell your secret. / He kept his lips sealed the whole time.
To Put it Another Way: I’ll stay quiet. / Not telling.
19. Hush-hush
Meaning: Kept secret or quiet.
Samples: The event was hush-hush. / They planned a hush-hush party.
To Put it Another Way: Secret. / Quiet on purpose.
20. Quiet zone
Meaning: Place where noise is not allowed.
Samples: The library is a quiet zone. / This corner is our reading quiet zone.
To Put it Another Way: Silent area. / No talking place.
21. Closed lips
Meaning: Choosing not to speak.
Samples: He kept closed lips during the game. / She stayed closed lips on the subject.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t say anything. / Stayed quiet.
22. Give someone the silent treatment
Meaning: Not talk to someone on purpose.
Samples: She gave him the silent treatment after the fight. / He gave his friend the silent treatment all day.
To Put it Another Way: Ignored someone. / Refused to talk.
23. Tight-lipped
Meaning: Refusing to speak or share details.
Samples: He was tight-lipped about the project. / She stayed tight-lipped when asked.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t talk. / Wouldn’t share.
24. Speechless
Meaning: So surprised you can’t talk.
Samples: She was speechless after the surprise. / I stood speechless at the scene.
To Put it Another Way: No words. / Couldn’t speak.
25. Keep a lid on it
Meaning: Keep it quiet or secret.
Samples: Keep a lid on the party plans. / She told him to keep a lid on the news.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t share. / Stay quiet.
26. No peep
Meaning: Not a single sound.
Samples: Not a peep came from the class. / She didn’t make a peep all night.
To Put it Another Way: No sound. / Totally quiet.
27. Lost for words
Meaning: Don’t know what to say.
Samples: I was lost for words when I saw the painting. / He stood there, lost for words.
To Put it Another Way: Speechless. / Couldn’t find the right words.
28. Not a sound
Meaning: Total silence.
Samples: There wasn’t a sound during the speech. / The hallway made not a sound.
To Put it Another Way: Super quiet. / No noise at all.
29. Fell silent
Meaning: Suddenly stopped talking.
Samples: The group fell silent when the teacher came in. / She fell silent after hearing the news.
To Put it Another Way: Stopped talking suddenly. / Quieted down.
30. Dead air
Meaning: A pause where no one talks.
Samples: There was dead air before someone answered. / After the joke, there was just dead air.
To Put it Another Way: No one spoke. / Awkward silence.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Silence
Reading Passage: “The Secret Surprise”
The classroom was filled with whispers as the students prepared for Ms. Ray’s birthday. When she stepped out, it fell dead silent. Everyone knew they had to keep it hush-hush.
Lena gave a signal and said, “Button your lips!” so no one would spill the secret. When Ms. Ray walked in, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even Noah, who usually talks a lot, kept his mouth zipped shut.
Ms. Ray looked surprised. For a moment, she was speechless. Then the class yelled, “Happy Birthday!” and clapped. “How did you all keep this under wraps?” she asked with a smile.
“I was afraid the cat would get my tongue,” said Eli, laughing.
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms for silence used in the story?
Answer Key
- Dead silent
- Hush-hush
- Button your lips
- Hear a pin drop
- Mouth zipped shut
- Speechless
- Keep under wraps
- Cat got your tongue
Conclusion
Silence can mean many things it might show calm, surprise, or the need to keep something secret. Idioms for silence help us describe those quiet moments in clear and creative ways.
Whether someone is speechless from a surprise or just keeping their lips sealed, these idioms let us talk about silence in a more interesting way. Try using them the next time you notice a quiet moment or want to keep something under wraps.
