proverb · Words worth keeping
They are as mute as fishes.
They are as mute as fishes.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The people described are notably silent. The comparison uses the ordinary impression of a fish as a picture of saying nothing.
Example
A group falls silent after a surprising announcement while its members consider how to respond.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The phrase is an exaggerated description of quietness, not an explanation of its cause. People might be listening, unwilling to answer, uncertain what to say or simply choosing silence. Its useful application concerns an observed absence of speech in a particular moment. It should not lead an observer to assume agreement, ignorance or guilt. The comparison also should not be converted into a biological claim about sound: its function here is an everyday figure of speech, not a factual account of fish.
When to use it
Use it to describe a particular quiet moment without guessing the reason.
Keep in mind
Silence does not prove consent, incompetence or wrongdoing.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English