silence means consent

silence means consent

If you do not voice your objection to something, then it is assumed that you support it. A: "Why did you think I would agree to punishing a student so harshly?" B: "Well, you didn't say anything when we originally discussed this plan! Silence means consent." Make sure to speak up when you disagree with something, because, for many people, silence means consent.
See also: consent, mean, silence
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • raise an objection
  • raise an objection (to someone or something)
  • not see any objection
  • objection
  • see no objection
  • raise objection
  • (it) wouldn't bother me any
  • punish
  • punish (someone or oneself) by (doing something)
  • punish by
References in periodicals archive
More's defense in accord with the law: Silence means consent.
A Yamaha grand piano 31 years after, atbp
Six member states spoke up during the airing of views, under the principle of silence means consent': Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Portugal.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION : COUNCIL AGREEMENT INTRODUCES EXEMPTIONS
My father's preface to the book ended with the phrase, "Silence means consent."
"Silence Means Consent"
If asked how they concluded there was agreement, chances are they will say, "Silence means consent, doesn't it?
Finally, a common form of minority rule is for two or more members to come to a quick and powerful agreement on a course of action, then challenge the group with a quick, "Does anyone object?," and, if no one raises their voice within two seconds, they proceed with "Let's go ahead then." Again the trap is the assumption that silence means consent.
Group decision-making
These meetings were basically clan councils in which, as is common in Filipino culture, silence means consent. And it is stretching credulity to think that Sajid Islam, who was then acting Maguindanao governor, had absolutely no participation in the planning and execution of what was obviously a major operation in his domain, involving a veritable army of retainers and police personnel.
Ludicrous grant of bail to suspect