silent treatment

noun

1. an act or instance of maintaining silence or aloofness toward another person, especially as a means of indicating disapproval or rejection.

Word History and Origins

Origin of silent treatment¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

As his teammates continued to give him the silent treatment, Ohtani raised his arms and waved them.

From Los Angeles Times

On their long car ride back from Washington, she gave him the silent treatment, talking to him only through their eldest son.

From Seattle Times

“I’m not really understanding what the silent treatment is,” Drescher said.

From Seattle Times

Teammates gave him the silent treatment and then mobbed him at the end of the dugout to celebrate Rizzo’s 12th homer.

From Washington Times

Realize that when I start to ask penetrating questions about product failures of any type, I often get the silent treatment from the public relations people who work for the manufacturers.

From Seattle Times