silent majority

the silent majority

A majority of people who hold a certain opinion but do not state it publicly. Although the polls suggested the newcomer would be defeated in the election, the silent majority apparently wanted her in office.
See also: majority, silent
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

silent majority

A group that makes up a majority of voters but does not widely express its views through marches or demonstrations. For example, They thought they had a convincing case, but they hadn't counted on the silent majority. This idiom was first recorded in 1874 but gained currency in the 1960s, when President Richard Nixon claimed that his policies were supported by a majority of citizens who did not bother to make their views known.
See also: majority, silent
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the silent majority

The silent majority in a country or a group are the large group of people who do not express their opinions publicly. If he talks about a silent majority in favour of this, I think he is mistaken. His consistently poor judgment is a source of deep concern to the silent majority of party members.
See also: majority, silent
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the silent majority

the majority of people, regarded as holding moderate opinions but rarely expressing them.
This phrase was first particularly associated with the US President Richard Nixon , who claimed in his 1968 presidential election campaign to speak for this segment of society.
1998 Spectator Independent-thinking columnists claimed a silent majority loathed Di mania and maybe they were right.
See also: majority, silent
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌsilent maˈjority

the large number of people in a country who think the same as each other, but do not express their views publicly: The government is appealing to the silent majority to support its foreign policy.The US President, Richard Nixon, used this phrase during the Vietnam War.
See also: majority, silent
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the silent majority
  • be/go on record
  • go on record
  • beat (one's) breast
  • beat your breast
  • be on welfare
  • welfare
  • be the power behind the throne
  • be on relief
  • dole
References in periodicals archive
Well, then, why should we be so delighted, as Aiken suggests, that the silent majority spoke up again?
Letters
The silent majority never get off their backsides or even request a postal vote to participate in local elections so one must assume they are happy to accept the outcome that's the result of a 30% to 40% participation in the electoral process.
TWEETS & POSTS
on November 3, 1969Reciting the speech from memory, Nixon appealed to his base, what he called "the great silent majority of my fellow Americans" (p.
The Great Silent Majority: Nixon's 1969 Speech on Vietnamization
Just like the silent majority of fans who allow the moronic minority to stand in their midst chanting about Munich, Hillsborough and Auschwitz.
Ched chants shame club
"Payday lenders don't speak for the silent majority. They are responsible for a quiet crisis of thousands of families trapped in unpayable debt.
THE WONGA ECONOMY; Miliband's scathing attack on..
When the silent majority speaks, you would do well to listen.
A not-so-silent majority
The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Silence not golden
I have worked in the South Wales Valleys and I can't believe the people that are described as the "milder silent majority" would agree to a clear question: for example, are you in favour of your organs being taken at your death without your prior consent?
What questions were asked? Yousay IN YOUR OPINION..
Maybe this is a case of the silent majority not voicing their opinion on the matter as I have met very few people in favour of restoring the pier and believe it mainly driven by the grandiose ambitions of a few, including some councillors.
Don't spend cash on pier past redemption; LETTERS
There is, in fact, a silent majority of American Jews who reject the idea that they are "in exile" in America.
For Judaism, against Zionism
But we have to admit that many Egyptians, often called the silent majority, seem to be undecided or are sticking to the tradition of deciding at the last minute.
Footnotes
"I think I have a great chance to win in the election because I have a wide popularity among the silent majority in this country who want stability and security to be restored," he said.
Mubarak-era premier steps up presidential campaign
He said the Tunisian people, particularly the silent majority, is alone capable today to put an end to the conspiracies being hatched against their Revolution and working to abort it.
Mohamed Ghannouchi: "conspiracy is being hatched against Revolution of Tunisian people"
"If Egypt were to change, it will be through its youth." He said his first goal "is to garner support on the Internet and through other means for democratic change." He added, "I will nominate myself if the people gather around me." The key, he said, "is the silent majority of Egyptians.
Egypt-presidency
The "Voice of the Silent Majority" ticket represented candidates running under the March 14 banner, who failed to gain any of the six seats in either the Arts and Sciences Department or the Business Department.
Minority supporters sweep LAU student elections in,CeBeirut