dead air

• Période de silence inattendue pendant une diffusion en direct, par exemple à la radio ou à la télévision, lorsque personne ne parle ou qu'aucun signal audio n'est transmis.

An unexpected period of silence during a live broadcast, such as on radio or television, when no one speaks or no audio is transmitted.

1. Silence in broadcastingB2formal

   An unexpected period of silence or lack of audio during a radio or television broadcast.

   Silence d'antenne

   • The radio host panicked during the dead air after the song ended.
   • Dead air is considered a major mistake in live television.
   • The producer quickly filled the dead air with a commercial.

2. Awkward silence in conversationB2informal

   An uncomfortable pause or lack of speech in a conversation or meeting.

   silence gênant

   • After his joke failed, there was a moment of dead air.
   • The interview was filled with awkward dead air.
   • She tried to avoid dead air by asking another question.