Idioms

Coventry

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be sent to Coventry

To be ostracized; to be ignored, typically as a form of punishment. Primarily heard in UK. I was sent to Coventry by the other students after I refused to help them cheat. Sad as it sounds, I've found that money is the best way to avoid being sent to Coventry in this line of work. Oh man, if the rumor's origin is traced back to me, I'll be sent to Coventry by most of the girls in my class.
See also: Coventry, sent, to

send (one) to Coventry

To ostracize; to ignore or refuse to communicate with one, typically as a form of punishment. Primarily heard in UK. When I refused to help them cheat, the other students sent me to Coventry.
See also: Coventry, send, to
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be sent to Coventry

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you are sent to Coventry, other people ignore you and refuse to talk to you because they disapprove of something you have done. Rumours about his private life started circulating among his colleagues and he soon found himself sent to Coventry. Note: Various origins have been suggested for this expression. During the English Civil War, Royalist prisoners from Birmingham were sent to prison in Coventry, a city which strongly supported the Parliamentarian side. Another suggestion is that the people of Coventry disliked soldiers so much that they refused to have anything to do with any woman who was seen talking to a soldier. As a result, soldiers did not like being sent to Coventry, where it was difficult to have social contact with anyone.
See also: Coventry, sent, to
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

send someone to Coventry

refuse to associate with or speak to someone. chiefly British
This expression, which dates from the mid 18th century, is thought by some to stem from the extreme unpopularity of soldiers stationed in Coventry, who were cut off socially by the citizens. Another suggestion is that the phrase arose because Royalist prisoners were sent to Coventry during the English Civil War, the city being staunchly Parliamentarian.
See also: Coventry, send, someone, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

send somebody to ˈCoventry

(British English) refuse to speak to somebody, as a way of punishing them for something they have done: Joe worked all through the strike, so when it was over, the other workers sent him to Coventry.This may come from the English Civil War when the city of Coventry was a strong supporter of Parliament. Supporters of the King who were taken prisoner were sometimes sent there.
See also: Coventry, send, somebody, to
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
Centaur Rd, Coventry, for pounds 9,250, 1979, stayed 21/2 yrs
Professor Mike Hardy, executive director for the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, said: "We are so pleased and excited to be able to welcome Coventry Life Festival in October.
The first section adapts and reconstructs a selection of the Coventry Carols.
Coventry Motorcycles and Scooters, which has been trading for more than 14 years, recently relocated to premises at 310 Walsgrave Road, Coventry.
Coventry BID has now become an official sponsor of the annual proceedings, along with Coventry University and the University of Warwick.
Instead of buses from Holbrooks travelling beyond the city centre to Ball Hill, Wyken and University Hospital they would serve Corporation Street and the rail station before continuing to another part of Coventry. This would mean Holbrooks would have a direct link to the rail station.
Trish Willetts, Coventry BID director, said that Coventry Pride was an important event and she was thrilled to be supporting it for five years.
Coventry Station Extension Sat Nav: CV1 2GT Size of Site: 10 acres (four hectares) Planning use: Transport Hub, Retail, Car Parking Developer: Network Rail / Coventry City Council Planning Authority: Coventry City Council Local Companies: Network Rail Coventry is the fastest growing station outside London over the last five years.
Coventry looked the better organised but a Vines break gave him a 22nd minute try -10-7 to Rugby - then Coventry knocked on in sight of the line.
The advent of institutional funding should virtually eliminate the scams and elevate the industry's image, said Alan Buerger, chief executive officer and co-founder of Coventry First, a settlement broker in Fort Washington, Pa.
The latest train to be added to the fleet of Virgin Trains is going to have a very special connection to Coventry.
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