be seen not heard

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phraseold-fashioned

   To be present but remain silent, especially as an old expectation for children.

   Grammar: Used mostly in the pattern 'children should be seen and not heard' or shortened as 'be seen not heard'.

   Patterns

   • children should be seen and not heard
   • be seen not heard

   My grandmother grew up with the rule that children should be seen and not heard.

   At the meeting, junior staff were expected to be seen not heard.

   She hated the old idea that a good wife should be seen not heard.

Common combinations

children should be seen and not heard

In those days, children should be seen and not heard at the dinner table.

be seen and not heard

The new manager wanted us to be seen and not heard.

the idea that children should be seen and not heard

Many parents today reject the idea that children should be seen and not heard.

Synonyms and how they differ

keep quiet

This is a direct instruction to be silent, while 'be seen not heard' describes an old social expectation.

stay in the background

This means not attracting attention, not necessarily staying silent.

Opposites

Commonly confused: be seen not heard or seen and not heard?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be seen not heard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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