radio silence

USAGE SUMMARY

"radio silence" is a correct expression in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a lack of communication between two or more people, either intentionally or due to technical difficulties. For example, "We had radio silence during the entire mission due to a technical glitch with the communications equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Talk about radio silence.

Independent

"Radio silence," replied Wildstein.

The Guardian

Apologies for my radio silence yesterday.

The Economist

Sorry about radio silence — real life intruded.

The New York Times

There was total radio silence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You don't want to break radio silence.

The New Yorker

Still, hope lingered despite the radio silence.

The Washington Post

The strike force maintained radio silence.

The New York Times - Books

Then there was just this radio silence.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The radio-silence smell is shown in Figure 11.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Radio-silence: this smell was reported 16 times.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "radio silence" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of communication, especially in situations where communication is normally expected or crucial. It can also imply a strategic or enforced withholding of information.

Common error

Avoid using "radio silence" to describe a simple delay in communication. It implies a more prolonged and significant absence of contact than a brief pause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "radio silence" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It signifies a state of non-communication, whether intentional or unintentional. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "radio silence" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound expression used to describe a lack of communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. While alternatives like "lack of communication" and "complete blackout" exist, "radio silence" uniquely conveys a sense of deliberate or critical absence of contact. When employing the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended implication of prolonged and significant non-communication rather than a brief delay. It is very common and should be easy to understand, as confirmed in the several examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of communication

Focuses on the absence of any form of communication, not specifically radio.

no response

Specifically points to the absence of a reply or acknowledgement.

no contact

Indicates an absence of any attempt or ability to reach someone.

unresponsiveness

Highlights the lack of willingness or ability to respond.

incommunicado

Describes a state of being unable or not allowed to communicate with others.

complete blackout

Emphasizes a total cessation of information flow.

absence of transmission

More technical, referring to the lack of a signal being sent.

communication breakdown

Highlights a failure in the process of communicating.

quiet period

Suggests a deliberate or temporary pause in communication.

off the air

Specifically refers to a broadcast being stopped.

FAQs

How can I use "radio silence" in a sentence?

You can use "radio silence" to describe a lack of communication, such as "After the meeting, there was complete "radio silence" from the management team."

What does it mean when someone goes "radio silence"?

It means they have stopped communicating, either intentionally or because they are unable to. It often implies a deliberate cut-off or a situation where communication is impossible.

What can I say instead of "radio silence"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of communication", "no contact", or "complete blackout" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "radio silence" in formal writing?

Yes, "radio silence" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing a situation where communication is critically absent. However, consider alternatives like "lack of communication" if a more neutral tone is desired.