噤若寒蝉jìn ruò hán chánas dumb as an oyster;as mute as a fish (/mackerel/mouse/poker/statue/stone); as silent as a cicada in cold weather—keep quiet out of fear; keep mum about; maintain a discreet silence
❍ 她那傲慢的，仇恨的眼光，像袭来的一阵疾雨，公子们突然被淋得～了。(杨沫《青春之歌》33)The effect of her uncompromising defiance was like that of a squall of rain upon cicadas—the young men were struck dumb.
❍ 他的话完了，台下有几个人拼命地高声鼓掌， 而更多的人却～， 面面相觑。(杨沫《青春之歌》561) As soon as Wang Zhong finished,his supporters applauded vigorously,but most of the students were taken aback and exchanged doubtful glances. 噤若寒蝉jìn ruò hán chán噤：闭口不吭声。像寒冷天气中的知了一样不作声。形容不敢吱声。keep quiet out of fear, have lost one’s tongue, maintain a discreet silence |