unspoken tension
noun phraseUK /ʌnˈspəʊkən ˈtɛnʃən/
US /ʌnˈspoʊkən ˈtɛnʃən/
A feeling that people are upset with each other even though nobody says it out loud.
There was an unspoken tension in the room after the argument.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A mood of nervousness that everyone senses but no one mentions.
The unspoken tension before the exam made everyone fidget.
3. A quiet disagreement between people who avoid talking about it.
Their unspoken tension grew until they finally had a talk.
4. A heavy, uneasy feeling in a group that words never address.
You could feel the unspoken tension at the family dinner.