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stay silent
/steɪ saɪlənt/
to remain quiet
The teacher asked the students to stay silent during the test.
The teacher wanted the students to remain quiet while taking the test.
general
to keep quiet or not speak
She decided to stay silent when she disagreed with her boss.
She chose not to speak up when she disagreed with her boss.
The audience was asked to stay silent during the performance.
The audience was requested to remain quiet during the performance.
This phrase is commonly used to emphasize the importance of not speaking or making noise.
Collocations
stay silent aboutto not speak about somethingstay silent onto not comment on a topic
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
While 'stay silent' is neutral, 'shut up' is more informal and can be rude.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'stay silent' in situations where quietness is expected, such as in a library or during a test.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'stay' (to remain in a particular state) and the adjective 'silent' (not speaking or making noise).
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in formal or serious contexts where quietness is required or expected.
Word Breakdown
stay
to remain in a particular state
verbsilent
not speaking or making noise
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary