The room held its breath, waiting for the story to unfold.

Meaning: Everyone in the room was quiet and still, waiting to hear what would happen next.

Choice of Words: Room: a space in a building or house. Held: kept or contained something. Breath: air inhaled and exhaled by a living thing. Waiting: staying in a place or position until something happens. Story: a narrative of events or experiences.

Alternative Expressions

The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Meaning: This sentence is a metaphor, which means it is using figurative language to create a vivid image. The sentence is saying that the room was so quiet that you could even hear the sound of a pin falling to the floor.

Choice of Words: Quiet means there is no noise. Pin means a small, sharp object that is often used to hold things together. Drop means to fall or let something fall. When you put them together, "The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop" means that the room was so quiet that you could hear the sound of a pin falling to the floor.

The room was silent, except for the sound of crickets chirping.

Meaning: This sentence is saying that the room was very quiet, but you could hear the sound of crickets chirping outside.

Choice of Words: Silent means there is no sound. Cricket is a small, jumping insect that makes a chirping sound. Chirp is the sound that a cricket makes. When you put them together, "The room was silent, except for the sound of crickets chirping" means that the room was quiet except for the sound of crickets making their chirping sounds.

The room was hushed, as if everyone was holding their breath.

Meaning: This sentence is saying that the room was so quiet that it seemed like everyone was holding their breath. It is a metaphor, which means it is using figurative language to create a vivid image.

Choice of Words: Hushed means very quiet. As if means that something seems to be true, even though it may not be. Hold means to keep something in your hand or to keep it from moving. Breath is the air that you breathe in and out. When you put them together, "The room was hushed, as if everyone was holding their breath" means that the room was very quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath.

Related Expressions