telling silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "telling silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a silence that conveys a significant or meaningful message, often in a poetic or metaphorical context. Example: "In the midst of the argument, there was a telling silence that spoke volumes about their unresolved feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The report was met with a telling silence from the conservatives who denounced the Obama Administration for practicing wasteful crony capitalism when Solyndra, a solar-cell company, went bankrupt in 2011 after receiving a $536 million loan guarantee.

The New Yorker

Asked on his campaign bus on Saturday whether he still considered the governor a friend, Mr. McCain lapsed into a very, very long and telling silence, and then he spat out, "Yes".

The New York Times

The clip finishes with Peterson offering a caricatured "postmodernist neo-Marxist" view that "the only reason the West functions is because it has raped the rest of humanity and the planet", which he follows with an uncharacteristic and telling silence before adding, again tellingly, "the less said about that the better".

Vice

In late May, state officials frantically tried to contact NCR about the growing rumors of the company's imminent departure; the answer was a telling silence.

The New York Times

The country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who seems to have ordered the belated expulsion of the baseej, the regime's thuggish militia who carried out the assault, has maintained a telling silence.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Could the silencing of telling silences, the obscuring of revealing absences mark the heavy hand of repression?

The New Yorker

It is as telling a silence as the blank spaces between his sentences.

The New York Times

But the reaction of the White House to these revolting reports is telling: radio silence.

Huffington Post

To be fair, Told in Silence isn't sure if it's a potboiler or a literary character piece.

The Guardian - Books

Told in Silence, by Rebecca Connell (Fourth Estate, £11.99) Why do the dark-horse boyfriends in this kind of domestic gothic always have "penthouse flats" full of "clean, gleaming gadgets"?

The Guardian - Books

LAO-TZU The cruellest lies are often told in silence.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telling silence" to create dramatic effect or to subtly convey unspoken feelings or reactions in your writing. For example, in a narrative, a character's "telling silence" can be more impactful than dialogue.

Common error

Avoid using "telling silence" too frequently. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions of silence and use it strategically for maximum effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "telling silence" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "telling" modifies the noun "silence". Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is used to describe silence that is particularly revealing or expressive. It highlights the significance of the silence in conveying a message or feeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telling silence" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used to describe a silence that communicates more than words. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is used to emphasize unspoken communication. While not overly common, its strategic use can add depth and impact to writing. Related phrases include "meaningful silence" and "expressive silence". When employing this phrase, writers should avoid overuse to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningful silence

Replaces "telling" with "meaningful", emphasizing the significance of the silence.

revealing silence

Similar to "telling silence" but emphasizes that the silence uncovers something.

expressive silence

Substitutes "telling" with "expressive", highlighting the communicative power of the silence.

eloquent silence

Uses "eloquent" to suggest the silence is articulate and persuasive in its message.

loaded silence

Implies the silence is heavy with unspoken meaning or emotion.

significant pause

Replaces "silence" with "pause", focusing on the break in speech rather than complete absence.

pregnant pause

Suggests the silence is anticipating something important or momentous.

speaking volumes

An idiomatic phrase that conveys the idea that the silence is saying a lot.

a silence that speaks volumes

Similar to "speaking volumes" but in sentence structure

a silence full of meaning

Replaces "telling" with "full of meaning", emphasizing the significance of the silence.

FAQs

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

You can use "telling silence" to describe a situation where the absence of speech conveys a significant message or emotion. For example: "The politician's "telling silence" after the question spoke volumes about his stance on the issue."

What can I say instead of "telling silence"?

You can use alternatives like "meaningful silence", "expressive silence", or "eloquent silence" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "telling silence" imply?

A "telling silence" suggests that the absence of speech is deliberate and carries a significant meaning, often revealing unspoken thoughts, feelings, or intentions.

Is "telling silence" a figure of speech?

Yes, "telling silence" can be considered a figure of speech, specifically a type of understatement. It uses the absence of words to communicate a powerful message.