break the silence

English

Verb

break the silence (third-person singular simple present breaks the silence, present participle breaking the silence, simple past broke the silence, past participle broken the silence)

1. To start talking in a conversation after a period where nobody speaks.

   Both men waited for the captain to make a decision. Finally, Dean broke the silence. “We need to know what to do, Captain! Before we sink!”

   • 1990, Depeche Mode (lyrics and music), “Enjoy the Silence”, in Violator:

     Words, like violence, / Break the silence / Come crashing in, / Into my little world

2. To state an opinion on a subject that has been taboo for a period of time.
   • 2012 June 19, Julian Baggini, “Why it's not the Dalai Lama's job to break the silence on Tibet”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     The Free Tibet campaign is calling on world leaders to break the silence, claiming they "continue to refrain from publicly speaking out for Tibet".