hear crickets

To receive no response or reaction at all from someone else, typically indicating displeasure or disapproval. I thought my book was going to be a huge hit, but I heard crickets when I showed it to my publisher. A: "Well, did the board of directors like your presentation?" B: "I guess not. We heard crickets after we were finished." I tried to warn her that her jokes were not funny, and, sure enough, she heard crickets from the audience.