deafening silence

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

deafening silence (usually uncountable, plural deafening silences)

1. (idiomatic) A noteworthy silence, or absence of response, especially one signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm.

   The suggestion that they work through the holidays met with deafening silence.

Translations

noteworthy silence or absence or response signifying disapproval or lack of enthusiasm

• Finnish: kiusallinen hiljaisuus, korviahuumaava hiljaisuus
• French: silence de mort (fr) m, silence assourdissant (fr) m
• Polish: głucha cisza f
• Russian: гробовое молча́ние (grobovoje molčánije)
• Spanish: silencio ensordecedor
• Swedish: knäpptyst (sv), öronbedövande tystnad c

See also

• pregnant pause
• tumbleweed moment