默不作声 (mò bú) — to remain silent, to not say a word

Definition

An idiom for staying completely silent on purpose, often under pressure. Pairs with 却 or 仍然 to show the silence is unexpected or stubborn.

idiom
to remain silentto not say a word

Examples

  • 默不作声
    Dà jiā dōu zài tǎo lùn, tā què mò bú.
    Everyone was discussing, but he remained silent.
  • 默不作声
    Miàn duì lǎo shī de tí wèn, tā mò bú.
    Facing the teacher's question, he remained silent.
  • 默不作声
    Jǐn guǎn shòu dào pī píng, tā réng rán mò bú.
    Despite being criticized, she still remained silent.

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