hear a pin drop, one/you could
Definition:
Complete silence. This hyperbole dates from the early nineteenth century. An early appearance in print is in Susan Fer-rier’s The Inheritance (1824): “You might have heard a pin drop in the house while that was going on.” Although pins are a far less common household item than they once were, the expression survives.
Synonyms:
- Stone silent
- Quiet as a mouse
- Dead silence
- Sound of silence
Antonyms:
- A cacophony
- Noisy as a circus
- Roaring thunder
Related Expressions:
- Pin-drop silence
- You could hear a feather fall
- Silence so thick you could cut it with a knife
Quotable Quip 💬:
“Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good quip.” —Unknown
Inspirational Thought 💡:
“Embrace the silence, for in its serenity, the loudest answers often lie.”
Similar Proverbs:
- “Silence is golden.”
- “A still tongue makes a wise head.”
Recommended Literature & More:
- Silence by Shūsaku Endō (Book)
- The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (Song)
- The Quiet American by Graham Greene (Book)
- A Quiet Place (Movie)
### Which of these means complete silence?
- [x] You could hear a pin drop
- [ ] Dancing with a muffled drum
- [ ] Typing on a cloud
- [ ] Painting daisies at midnight
> **Explanation:** "You could hear a pin drop" indicates complete and utter silence. The others? Just poetic imaginations running wild!
### Which of the following is a similar expression to 'hear a pin drop'?
- [ ] Bruising the bananas
- [ ] Wheezing a whisper
- [x] Quiet as a mouse
- [ ] Sweeping the horizon
> **Explanation:** "Quiet as a mouse" is a similar expression indicating silence. The rest are creative yet irrelevant flourishes.
### True or False: 'Stone silent' is a synonym for 'hear a pin drop.'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Stone silent" means the same kind of absolute quietness as "hear a pin drop."
In a world filled with constant noise, may you find the blissful peace of silence where you can hear a pin drop. 📌
Let quietness reign supreme, for even in solitude, there is profound eloquence.
– Echo M. Quiet, October 2023
