conspiracy of silence
noun
a usually secret or unstated agreement to remain silent among those who know something whose disclosure might be damaging, harmful, or against their own best interest or that of their associates.
Origin of conspiracy of silence
First recorded in 1860–65
Words nearby conspiracy of silence
conspicuous,
conspicuous by its absence,
conspicuous consumption,
conspiracist,
conspiracy,
conspiracy of silence,
conspiracy theory,
conspiration,
conspirator,
conspire,
const.
Idioms and Phrases with conspiracy of silence
conspiracy of silence
A tacit or explicit agreement to keep something secret. For example, In this state's medical society there is a conspiracy of silence regarding incompetent practitioners. This term was first used as a complaint about lack of attention, but today it more often refers to remaining silent about something unfavorable or criminal. [Late 1800s]