Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dead men tell no tales
idiom
/dɛd mɛn tɛl noʊ teɪlz/
Definition
A phrase suggesting that those who are dead cannot reveal secrets or information.
Examples
- The pirate captain always reminded his crew that ‘dead men tell no tales’ when they were planning their next heist.
- In the world of organized crime, the saying serves as a reminder that silence comes at a cost – ‘dead men tell no tales.’
Meaning
This idiom implies that once a person has died, they can no longer share any knowledge or details that could expose wrongdoing or secrets.
Synonyms
- Silence is golden.
- What happens in the dark stays in the dark.
