not a peep
Meaning: Not a sound, or not a word from someone.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “We waited for an explanation, but there wasn't a peep from the company.”
Category: Animals
Origin: A "peep" is the faint cheep of a chick, the smallest sound one can make. The phrase is found from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Spanish: no decir ni pío — literally: to not say not even a peep
More idioms — Animals
- have a whale of a time — To enjoy oneself enormously.
- use someone as a cat's paw — To get someone else to do one's dirty work.
- play cat and mouse — To toy with someone one has power over.
- keep someone on a short leash — To keep someone under close control.
- rein someone in — To bring someone under control.
- smell a rat — To sense that something dishonest is going on.
More English idioms
- bail someone out — To rescue someone from trouble, especially by paying.
- a double-edged sword — Something with both good and bad consequences.
- blow the lid off — To expose a scandal or secret.
- be ahead of the game — To be in a better position than one's rivals.
- get out of hand — To become impossible to control.
- there are no two ways about it — The matter admits no doubt or alternative.
From our compliments & insults
- できる人 (dekiru hito) — Said of someone highly capable and impressive — the kind of person who makes things happe…
- 懐が深い (futokoro ga fukai) — You're broad-minded, generous of spirit, and able to embrace the complexity of others wit…
- Você é um amor — You're a sweetheart — warm, caring, and impossible not to like.