Dumb insolence is an offence against military discipline in which a subordinate displays an attitude of defiance towards a superior without open disagreement. It is also found in settings such as education

Education

Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...

in which obedience and deference to a teacher is expected but may be refused by unruly pupils. For example, a pupil may suck their teeth, sigh or walk away while being spoken to.