I told him that I thought he was crazy and got 'the silent treatment' for the rest of the day. [=he refused to talk to me for the rest of the day]
You have the 'right to remain silent'. [=the legal right not to say anything when you are arrested]
Whenever she gets mad at me, she 'gives me the silent treatment'. [=she does not speak to me]
(..) Late is the hour... ...in which this conjurer chooses to appear. L'thspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest. Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death... ...to bandy crooked words with a witless worm. (..)2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers