a word or utterance that would typically introduce a rebuttal but has been abandoned upon the realization that one was or will be wrong if speaking continues
"Actually...", she waited, sure even after seconds of awkward silence that the mansplanation mark would be carried to term if she were to reply before giving him time to mourn. It was sure to be another pyrrhic victory - her argument was sound and would ultimately prevail, but the deafening silence was the war drumming of his loss to his own embarrassment.
by bgrimm July 27, 2021