Coventry

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