What is the meaning of the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”?
To make very little noise, or to be still and silent so as to not make a noise.
What is the origin of the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”?
While the precise origin and coinage of the term “as quiet as a mouse” is not yet determined, there are sources that suggest that phrases around the quietness and stillness of mice date back as far as the 1300s. This includes phrases such as “as still as a mouse,” and other variations such as “as quiet as a mouse” and “as quiet as a church mouse”.
The phrase is likely to have derived from observations that mice are naturally very quiet. They are especially quiet and still when they sense that they may be in danger. As small and easy prey, and as a creature with many predators, mice tend to make as little noise as possible in order to go undetected for as long as possible.
How do you use the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”?
The phrase “as quiet as a mouse” can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, people often use the phrase to refer to someone who is subdued and mild mannered and doesn’t talk much, i.e. “he/she/they is/are as quiet as a mouse”.
A place can also be described as being as quiet as a mouse if there is no sound to be heard, or much less sound than usual.
Or if you want someone, such as a child, to be quiet so that they can better heard something, you may ask them to be “as quiet as a mouse”.
You may even describe a vehicle or some machinery as being “as quiet as a mouse”.
You can also ise the phrase “as quiet as a church mouse” in all of these circumstances, and it will mean the same thing.
What are some other ways of saying “as quiet as a mouse”?
There are several words and phrases that can often be used in place of the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”. Here are some examples:
- So quiet you can hear a pin drop.
- It’s deathly quiet here.
- I’ve never heard it so quiet!
- Silence is golden.
- Your silence is deafening.
- As silent/quiet as the grave.
- Speechless.
- As silent/quiet as the tomb.
- As quiet as a lamb.
- Noiseless.
- Peacefully.
- Incredibly quiet.
- Subdued.
- Talking in whispers
How do you say the opposite of “as quiet as a mouse”?
If you wanted to say the opposite of “as quiet as a mouse” you might say, for example, “as loud as a foghorn”. Alternatively, you might prefer to say “as loud as a crying new born baby” or “as loud as a rock concert”. You can also use words such as: noisy, rowdy, blaring, and clattering.
If, however, you want to refer to someone who doesn’t stop talking, you could use the idioms “can talk the hind legs off a donkey” or “can talk a glass eye tio sleep”. These phrases imply that someone talks too much and that the listener tends to lose interest in what is being said.
The simile can even be used in comedic inversion, e.g. “as quiet as a mouse in tap shoes”.
What are some notable uses of the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”?
TV
In the series, several upper-class characters refer to servants or children being “as quiet as mice.” Here, the idiom is deployed with class connotations, suggesting ideal subservience, the sort of silence that preserves the power hierarchy.
Other English idioms featuring the word “mouse”
For the record, as briefly mentioned earlier the phrase “as quiet as a church mouse” can always be used synonymously with the phrase “as quiet as a mouse”. Here are some more examples of idioms that feature the word “mouse”.
Mighty Mouse:
This is the name of a cartoon character known for his ability to save the day.
Are you a man or a mouse?:
This phrase is used to challenge someone to be brave and assertive instead of being timid and passive, similar to how a mouse would react to a cat.
Play (a game of) cat and mouse:
This idiom refers to a situation where one person or group is trying to control or deceive another, often to avoid being caught.
As timid as a mouse
This simile used to describe someone who is very shy and fearful, lacking courage and confidence. It suggests a person who is easily frightened and hesitant to act,
As poor as a church mouse
The idiom “as poor as a church mouse” means extremely poor or impoverished. It describes someone or something with very little money or possessions.
Build a better mousetrap
The phrase “build a better mousetrap” is an idiom that means to create something that is superior, or of higher quality than what already exists. It suggests that if you can develop a truly better solution or product, people will recognize its value and seek it out.
The best laid plans of mice and men
The phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” means that no matter how carefully a plan is made, it is likely to fail or deviate from its original course due to unforeseen circumstances or human error.
