Not a peep
Meaning
To make absolutely no sound or utterance, indicating complete silence, a lack of complaint, or no response.
Origin
The word 'peep' has been chirping in the English language since the 16th century, imitating the delicate, high-pitched cry of a young bird, especially a baby chick. It's one of nature's most fundamental and innocent sounds, a tiny signal of life. The phrase 'not a peep' takes this universally recognized minimal sound and utterly negates it, conjuring a vivid image of absolute silence. It means that even the smallest, most involuntary sound—that barely-there 'peep'—is completely absent, powerfully conveying an unusual quietness, whether born of fear, concentration, or a stunning lack of objection.
Examples
- The children were so engrossed in the cartoon that there wasn't a peep out of them for an entire hour.
- After he heard the judge's verdict, the defendant didn't make a peep, simply staring at the floor.