could hear a pin drop

could hear a pin drop

Could hear nothing at all because it was completely quiet and still. After the boss's outburst, the meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Waiting to see what happened next in the play, everyone in the audience stayed so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
See also: could, drop, hear, pin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hear a pin drop, can

Be able to hear even the smallest noise because of the quiet, as in When he came onstage you could have heard a pin drop. This hyperbolic expression dates from the early 1800s.
See also: can, hear, pin
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

you could hear a pin drop

You say you could hear a pin drop to emphasize how quiet it is because nobody is speaking. I had never before prayed in silence with several thousand young people. You could hear a pin drop. You could have heard a pin drop in the press briefing room after he said that.
See also: could, drop, hear, pin
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

you could hear a pin drop

there was absolute silence or stillness.
See also: could, drop, hear, pin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

you could have heard a ˈpin drop

it was extremely quiet: When the play finished you could have heard a pin drop.
See also: could, drop, have, hear, pin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • hear a pin drop, can
  • you could have heard a pin drop
  • you could hear a pin drop
  • you could hear the grass grow(ing)
  • curse (someone) under (one's) breath
  • hear from
  • hear from (one)
  • mutter
  • mutter (something) under (one's) breath
  • fancy that
References in periodicals archive
Mum Emma, 47, of Winsford, Cheshire, said: "He gave a talk in school for 100 pupils - and his teachers said you could hear a pin drop.
Our hero Max teaches his pals about saving lives
8.4.2012 YOU could hear a pin drop at the Groucho Club in London on Tuesday when Brit actor Jason Statham's lady-love, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, came face-to-face with her ex Tyrone Wood and his mum Jo Wood while out for girlie drinks.
YOU could hear a pin drop at the Groucho in in i London on Tuesday w ac a tor Jason Statham's mo m del Rosie Huntingto ca c me face-to-face wit ro r ne Wood and his m wh w ile out for girlie d But, alas, everyon up u and a scene wa My mole said: "ea e ch other an st s opped an Ev Ev E entually Ro an an a d said h An An A ti-clima But, alas, everyone was a grownup and a scene was averted.
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