blue wall of silence
An unspoken policy of concealment by police regarding the wrongdoing or illicit activity of other officers. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I respect the need for the police, but it's hard to trust them completely when so many stories of the blue wall of silence come to light.
blue code of silence
An unspoken policy of concealment by police regarding the wrongdoing or illicit activity of other officers. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I respect the need for the police, but it's hard to trust them completely when so many stories of the blue code of silence come to light.
code of silence
The practice of not disclosing important or vital information by members of a group, as due to the threat of violence, reprisal, being branded as a traitor, or an inherent sense of honor. There are parts of the city where the code of silence is so strong that police don't even bother questioning the residents there.
conspiracy of silence
An agreement, either explicit or unspoken, among members of a group to keep secret certain information that, if exposed, could be damaging to the group, its interests, or its associates. Knowing that public knowledge of their imminent takeover by the rival company could jeopardize their continued employment thereafter, the board of directors agreed to a strict conspiracy of silence until the deal was finalized. The doctors in the hospital were engaged in a tacit conspiracy of silence, as each knew that bringing to light their colleague's misbehavior could end up damaging their own reputations in the process.
deafening silence
A conspicuous and striking lack of noise or sound. Jim's proposal was met with deafening silence at the meeting. After living in the city all my life, I can't stand the deafening silence of the countryside.
silence means consent
If you do not voice your objection to something, then it is assumed that you support it. A: "Why did you think I would agree to punishing a student so harshly?" B: "Well, you didn't say anything when we originally discussed this plan! Silence means consent." Make sure to speak up when you disagree with something, because, for many people, silence means consent.
speech is silver, but silence is golden
An expression that values silence over speech. I would be careful around all those reporters if I were you. Remember: speech is silver, but silence is golden.
speech is silver, silence is gold
An expression that values silence over speech. I would be careful around all those reporters if I were you. Remember: speech is silver, silence is gold.
speech is silver, silence is golden
An expression that values silence over speech. I would be careful around all those reporters if I were you. Remember: speech is silver, silence is golden.
wall of silence
1. An unspoken policy of concealment by police regarding the wrongdoing or illicit activity of other officers. A variation on the phrase "blue wall of silence." I respect police, but it's hard to trust them completely when so many stories of the wall of silence come to light.
2. Constant silence, often due to unhappiness or secrecy. Ever since my husband found out that I lied to him, there's been a wall of silence between us. Mom can never know that I broke her vase, OK? There's a wall of silence, starting now.
break silence
to give information about a topic that no one was mentioning or discussing. The press finally broke silence on the question of the plagiarized editorial.
break the silence
to make a noise interrupting a period of silence. The wind broke the silence by blowing the door closed.
reduce someone to silence
to cause someone to be silent. The rebuke reduced him to silence—at last. Mary was reduced to silence by Jane's comments.
Silence gives consent.
Prov. If you do not object to what someone says or does, you can be assumed to agree with or condone it. Jill: What did Fred say when you told him we were thinking about leaving the office early? Jane: He didn't say anything. Jill: Then he must not mind if we go. Silence gives consent.
Silence is golden.
Prov. Silence is often good or desirable. Jerry has two teenage children who listen to music using their headphones all day. He knows that silence is golden. Hush! Silence is golden.