PhrasesHub

broke the silence

    Definitions

      • end a period of silence
        Used to describe the action of speaking or making a noise after a period of silence

      • reveal a secret or information
        Used to describe the action of sharing previously unknown information or thoughts, often to the surprise of others

    Examples of broke the silence

    • After the power outage plunged the room into darkness, the sound of crickets filled the air, breaking the silence only when someone coughed softly.

      In this example, "broke the silence" refers to the interruption of a prolonged quietness by a sudden noise or sound. The phrase is often used to describe situations where there is a sudden and significant change in the level of noise in an environment.

    • The warden's announcement over the intercom shattered the silence that had settled over the prison yard, causing the inmates to fall silent and listen intently.

      Here, the idiom is used to depict a scenario where a previously quiet environment is interrupted by a loud and sudden sound or announcement.

    • As the sun began to rise, the birds chirped merrily, breaking the silence of the early morning hours.

      This example shows how nature's sounds can also cause a break in silence, and this case, the dawn chorus of birds interrupts the stillness of the morning.

    • The sound of footsteps echoed down the empty hallway, breaking the deafening silence that had spread throughout the abandoned building.

      This idiom is used to depict a space that is completely silent as opposed to being merely hushed. The "deafening silence" in this example has the oppressive feel of a vacuum, and the sound of the footsteps serves as a kind of punctuation.

    • In the quiet library, the librarian's cough suddenly broke the silence.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a sudden sound has ended a period of complete stillness. In this example, the librarian's cough interrupted the peaceful silence that was in the library, making it noticeable and conspicuous.

    • As the captain signaled for the team to hush, the sound of the ball hitting the bat broke the silence of the stadium.

      This idiom refers to the end of an extended period of quietness, in this scenario, when the cricket ball hit the bat, it disrupted the stillness in the stadium that had been enforced by the captain's request for silence.

    • The ticking of the grandfather clock in the grand hall was the only sound that broke the silence.

      Here, the clock's ticking was the only thing that disturbed the deafening silence in the grand hall.

    • The sound of the police siren shattered the serene silence of the night.

      This idiom represents the abrupt end to an uninterrupted calmness. In this example, the police siren produced a jarring sound that destroyed the peaceful silence that enveloped the night.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "broke the silence" can be used to indicate the end of a period of quiet or to describe the action of revealing new information. It is often used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as breaking a physical silence by speaking or breaking an emotional silence by sharing a secret.

    Origin of "broke the silence"

    The origin of the idiom "broke the silence" likely comes from the literal act of breaking a period of quietness or stillness with sound or speech. The word "broke" in this context suggests a sudden or forceful action, emphasizing the abrupt end of the silence. Over time, the idiom has evolved to also encompass the idea of breaking a metaphorical silence, such as revealing hidden thoughts or information. The phrase may have originated from the need for humans to communicate and share information, leading to the creation of an idiom that captures the act of breaking a period of quietness. Examples of the idiom can be found in literature, speeches, and everyday conversations, demonstrating its widespread use in the English language.