break the silence

English

Verb

break the silence (third-person singular simple present breaks the silence, present participle breaking the silence, simple past broke the silence, past participle broken the silence)

  1. To start talking in a conversation after a period where nobody speaks.
    Both men waited for the captain to make a decision. Finally, Dean broke the silence. "We need to know what to do, Captain! Before we sink!
    • 1990, Depeche Mode (lyrics and music), “Enjoy the Silence”, in Violator:
      Words, like violence, / Break the silence / Come crashing in, / Into my little world
  2. To state an opinion on a subject that has been taboo for a period of time.
    • 2012 June 19, Julian Baggini, “Why it's not the Dalai Lama's job to break the silence on Tibet”, in The Guardian‎:
      The Free Tibet campaign is calling on world leaders to break the silence, claiming they "continue to refrain from publicly speaking out for Tibet".
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.