A murmur went through the crowd 🗣️👥👤

Meaning

A low, indistinct sound of speech or confused voices arose from a group of people, indicating a shared reaction or developing sentiment.

Origin

Imagine a silent, tense gathering. Suddenly, a whisper emerges, not from one person, but from many, spreading like ripples across water. This collective stirring, a subtle shift of sound and attention, is the essence of the phrase. It paints a picture of shared understanding or dawning realization, a quiet transmission of information or feeling that bypasses formal announcement, capturing that electric moment when a group collectively 'gets it' or reacts to something unseen or unsaid.

🗣️ communication 🔒 secrets 😮 surprise 😨😱 fear 👑⚖️ power

A murmur went through the crowd represented with emoji🗣️👥👤

This playful arrangement of emojis, 🗣️👥👤, functions as a delightful visual metaphor. It's not just the representation of a crowd, but the very echo of their collective voice, a murmur rippling through the populace. It captures the intangible yet palpable energy of shared sentiment, inviting us to imagine the whispers and growing buzz that precede a collective realization or movement.

Examples

  • When the unexpected announcement was made, a murmur went through the crowd.
  • As the magician revealed his final trick, a murmur went through the crowd in amazement.
  • Upon seeing the first real dragon fly overhead, a murmur went through the crowd of astonished onlookers.
  • When the talking teacups began to sing, a murmur went through the crowd, mostly of delighted giggles.

Frequently asked questions

Is "a murmur went through the crowd" a formal or informal expression?

It is an informal expression, commonly used in descriptive writing or speech to convey a subtle shift in group dynamics. Its evocative nature makes it more suited for narrative than official reports.

What distinguishes "a murmur went through the crowd" from a loud outcry?

"A murmur went through the crowd" signifies a low, indistinct sound representing shared, often nascent, reactions or thoughts. An outcry, by contrast, is a loud, clear expression of emotion or protest, inherently public and direct.

Can "a murmur went through the crowd" imply disagreement as well as agreement?

Yes, the phrase can imply either agreement or disagreement, as well as surprise or dawning realization among the group. The murmur indicates a shared, developing sentiment or reaction, the specific nature of which depends on the context.

Similar to "a murmur went through the crowd"

A buzz filled the room
Both phrases capture a crowd's collective reaction, but 'buzz' suggests a more electric, excited energy, as opposed to the vaguer, potentially anxious or curious undercurrent of 'murmur'
Whispers rippled through the assembly
Like 'murmur,' this conveys a low, widespread sound from a group, but 'whispers' implies a more deliberate, perhaps secretive, exchange of information, hinting at shared confidences rather than a general sentiment
A groundswell of opinion began to form
Both phrases describe the emergence of shared feeling in a group, but 'groundswell' points to a more organized, developing consensus with a clearer direction, whereas 'murmur' is often more amorphous and spontaneous

Opposite of "a murmur went through the crowd"

A respectful silence descended
This argues for a stillness and deference that actively counters the unrest and vocalization of 'a murmur went through the crowd,' highlighting a moment of unified solemnity or focus instead of diffuse reaction
The crowd erupted in cheers
This phrase champions a sudden, unified outburst of positive emotion, standing in stark contrast to the low, indistinct, and often uncertain nature of a murmur, celebrating overt expression over subtle undercurrents

Related to "a murmur went through the crowd"

The air crackled with anticipation
'Crackling anticipation' shares the sense of an intangible, shared energy building within a group, mirroring the pre-verbal or nascent sentiment of a murmur, but focuses on future expectation rather than present reaction
A hush fell over the audience
This describes a sudden collective quieting, a shared pause that can precede or follow a 'murmur,' capturing a different facet of group dynamics – absorption or tension rather than vocal expression
Unease settled in their stomachs
While 'murmur' describes an external sound, this phrase speaks to the internal, visceral feeling that often accompanies it, linking the outward expression of a shared sentiment to its inward emotional impact
The rumor mill started turning
This taps into the generative aspect of a 'murmur,' where indistinct sounds can solidify into specific pieces of gossip or news, showing how diffused reactions can begin to take shape