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Definition
Silence is golden; keeping quiet or not speaking out of turn is highly valuable.
colloquialcommunicationother
How it's used
This idiom is used to justify keeping quiet in situations where speaking might cause trouble or reveal too much. It carries a sense of wisdom and restraint, often applied when someone chooses not to gossip or argue. Unlike some idioms that sound formal, this is frequently used in casual conversation to explain a deliberate choice to remain silent.
Examples
Sometimes when you do not know what to say, silence is golden.
He believes silence is golden, so he often stays quiet.
Related words
Common phrases
Silence is golden; the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
