making no sound; staying quiet
Literal meaning: adopting a posture or stance of complete silence, often to avoid detection.
I stayed perfectly still, making no sound, so as not to be found by the enemy.
lying low; keeping quiet and waiting for a chance
Figurative use: deliberately staying silent and inconspicuous, often while waiting for the right moment to act.
He decided to lie low until an opportunity came.
Standard kanji spelling for this set phrase.
Alternate spelling using なし instead of 無し; both are used.
A set phrase combining 音無し (soundless) and 構え (stance, posture). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from martial arts or strategic contexts where silence is used as a tactic.