dead air.

[Kati Svaby]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #330 "English Slang Idioms (51)", question 1

Their conversation lagged, so he racked his brain trying to figure out something to talk about that would fill the ......... air.

(a) damp
(b) dead
(c) dumb
(d) dull

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #330 "English Slang Idioms (51)", answer 1

Their conversation lagged, so he racked his brain trying to figure out something to talk about that would fill the dead air.

Correct answer: (b) dead
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...to figure out something to talk that would fill the dead air =during the speaking they held temporary pauses, that was an awkward silence so they tried to fill the dead air
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.