Reduce to silence Meaning in English
expression
ɹəˈdus/, /ɹiˈdus/, /ɹɪˈdus/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈsaɪɫəns
rih-DOOS tuh SY-lens
ɹɪdjˈuːs/ /tˈuː/ /sˈaɪləns
rih-DYOOS too SY-lens
Definition
To make someone unable to say anything, often because they are surprised, defeated in an argument, or embarrassed.
Usage & Nuances
This is a formal or literary phrase. Commonly used to describe arguments, debates, or shocking events leaving someone speechless. Alternatives include 'leave speechless' or 'shut up' (informal).
Spanish: dejar sin habla - acallarPortuguese (BR): calar - deixar sem palavrasPortuguese (PT): calar - deixar sem palavrasChinese (Simplified): 使无言以对 - 使沉默Chinese (Traditional): 使無言以對 - 使沉默Hindi: चुप करा देना - गूंगा बना देनाArabic: أسكته - جعله عاجزًا عن الكلامBengali: নিঃশব্দ করে দেওয়া - কথা বলার শক্তি কেড়ে নেওয়াRussian: привести к молчанию - заставить замолчатьJapanese: 沈黙させるVietnamese: làm cho câm lặng - khiến không thể nói nên lờiKorean: 말문을 막다 - 침묵하게 만들다Turkish: suskun bırakmak - susturmakUrdu: خاموش کر دینا - سکتہ طاری کر دیناIndonesian: membuat terdiam - membungkam
Example Sentences
Her answer reduced everyone to silence.
basic
The teacher's strict tone reduced the noisy class to silence.
basic
He was reduced to silence by the shocking news.
basic
Her clever argument quickly reduced her opponent to silence.
natural
The audience was reduced to silence at the end of the powerful speech.
natural
When she told her secret, it reduced the whole group to silence.
natural