complete hush

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete hush" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is absolute silence or no noise at all. Example: "As the final seconds of the game ticked away, there was a complete hush in the stadium, with everyone holding their breath in anticipation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Conversation

Literature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the Sept. 6 New York Times described it, "There was an instant of almost complete silence, like the hush that follows a clap of thunder.

The New York Times

Occasionally, an eerie hush fell over the site as authorities asked for complete silence so their listening devices would not pick up stray sounds.

Los Angeles Times

And by the time I got home, I would have imagined a whole life for her -- abandoned at 12 by her mother with nothing but a winter coat, pregnant by a sometime criminal at 18, wandering the streets in search of her lost child -- a tale completed just in time to hush the conversation at dinner for a few moments before my father's own exaggerated stories took over.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's ridiculous, a complete waste," he said, his voice rising above the hush of the funeral parlor.

The New York Times

There was a hush in the room and the nurses silently completed their task.

Huffington Post

"Hush, Hush".

The New York Times - Books

People hush.

The New York Times

Now hush.

The New York Times

Hush, now.

The New Yorker

"You hush".

The New Yorker

But hush.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete hush" to emphasize a profound and often unexpected silence following a moment of activity or noise. It's stronger than simply saying "silence".

Common error

Avoid using "complete hush" too frequently in dialogue. It can sound unnatural. Instead, vary your descriptions of silence with more subtle phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete hush" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of absolute quiet. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complete hush" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a state of total silence. While relatively uncommon, it effectively conveys a sense of profound quiet, often following a sudden cessation of noise. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and its suitability for descriptive writing, particularly in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "total silence" or "utter quiet" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total silence

Emphasizes the complete lack of sound, similar to "complete hush" but more direct.

absolute silence

Stresses the complete and unquestionable absence of noise.

complete quietness

Similar to "complete hush", but uses "quietness" instead of "hush".

utter quiet

Highlights the peaceful and undisturbed nature of the silence.

perfect stillness

Emphasizes the flawless and undisturbed nature of the quiet.

profound stillness

Focuses on the lack of movement and activity contributing to the silence.

deafening silence

Creates a paradoxical effect, suggesting the silence is so intense it's almost loud.

eerie silence

Suggests a silence that is unsettling or mysterious.

pin drop silence

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme quiet, where even a pin dropping would be heard.

deathly silence

Implies a silence associated with death or a somber occasion.

FAQs

How can I use "complete hush" in a sentence?

You can use "complete hush" to describe a sudden and profound silence. For example, "A "complete hush" fell over the crowd as the magician revealed the final trick".

What words are similar to "complete hush"?

Similar phrases include "total silence", "utter quiet", or "absolute silence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "complete hush" formal or informal?

"Complete hush" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it might be more common in descriptive writing than casual conversation.

What's the difference between "complete hush" and "deafening silence"?

"Deafening silence" is a figure of speech that describes a silence so intense it feels overwhelming or loud, while a "complete hush" simply refers to a total absence of sound.