reading the room
/ˈriːdɪŋ ðə ˌruːm/
sensing the mood and adjusting accordingly
reading the room in a sentence
“He failed to read the room and told jokes at a somber gathering.”
Origin of reading the room
From interpreting collective atmosphere
Related Words
code-switching
adjusting language, tone, or behavior for different contexts
register
the level of formality appropriate to a situation
subtext
the underlying meaning beneath what's explicitly said
rapport
a harmonious, trusting connection between people
mirroring
subtly matching another's body language to build connection
saving face
helping someone maintain dignity in a difficult situation