mute button
/mjuːt ˈbʌtən/
CommonSilencing someone online or in a group chat without them knowing, or the act of doing so.
Softer than blocking. Can be about drama avoidance, but also used in work contexts (Slack, Teams) where blocking is not an option. Occasionally used to describe literally muting someone on a video call.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | i did not unfollow her, i just hit the mute button. she never needs to know | The person silenced the account without creating drama by unfollowing. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | the whole team channel is on mute. i check it once a day max | Silenced a work channel to avoid constant notification noise. | |
| 03 | he is on mute for me. still follow him but i have not seen a post in months | The person is technically followed but fully invisible in the feed. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | you are on mute bro (said to someone talking in real life who will not stop) | Joking that you wish you could mute someone the way you mute a video call. | tiktok, 2023 |
Use it when
- Someone silences another person's content without blocking them.
- Someone mutes a group chat or channel to stop notifications without leaving.
- Describing the act of disengaging from someone without confrontation.
- Literally muting someone on a video call so you cannot hear them.
Do not use it when
- Someone fully blocks the person so they also cannot see your content.Use “block-and-move” instead.
Mute button vs block and move
mute button
Mute button is quiet. The person does not know. You are still following them.
VS
block-and-move
Block and move is a full cut. They cannot see you and you cannot see them.
Origin and context
Direct reference to the mute feature on social platforms and video call software. Adopted as internet slang through Zoom/Teams culture during remote work and through Twitter/Instagram muting features.
- First seen
- 2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/mute-buttonUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0