age of consent
The age at which a person is legally able to give consent, as to sexual relations, marriage, or a binding contract. Some people advocate lowering the age of consent, but some worry it will cause an increase in promiscuity among young people. Here, the age of consent is 18, but it varies from state to state. Are you talking about the girl over there who's clearly younger than the age of consent? Yeah, I'd stay away from her unless you want to spend your future days in a cell!
consent to (something)
To agree to something. Do you have your permission slip? We need proof that your parents have consented to your participation in the field trip. Good luck getting her to consent to such dramatic changes to the script. Don't just go in and start adjusting your yoga students—check in and make sure they consent to being touched first.
enthusiastic consent
The act of explicitly and enthusiastically expressing the desire to have a sexual encounter with someone and maintaining and communicating that enthusiasm throughout the experience. Men and women often have very different ideas about verbal and nonverbal cues, but an enthusiastic consent model solves all that. Enthusiastic consent is always key. Like, why would I even want to have sex with someone who doesn't want to have sex with me? If you're with someone who's too drunk to give enthusiastic consent, do not engage with them sexually.
silence gives consent
If one does not object to or stand up against something that one does not like or agree with, then one is complicit in permitting it to happen. People like to pretend they are outraged by these policies, but when they do nothing to stop them, their silence gives consent. A: "Are you sure Dad is OK with us borrowing the car?" B: "I texted him about it and he didn't say we couldn't. In my book, silence gives consent."
silence means consent
If you do not voice your objection to something, then it is assumed that you support it. A: "Why did you think I would agree to punishing a student so harshly?" B: "Well, you didn't say anything when we originally discussed this plan! Silence means consent." Make sure to speak up when you disagree with something, because, for many people, silence means consent.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
consent to something
to agree to permit something to happen. I will not consent to your marriage. There is no need for you to consent to anything.
Silence gives consent.
Prov. If you do not object to what someone says or does, you can be assumed to agree with or condone it. Jill: What did Fred say when you told him we were thinking about leaving the office early? Jane: He didn't say anything. Jill: Then he must not mind if we go. Silence gives consent.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.