hang in effigy

hang (someone) in effigy

To protest someone by displaying a representation of them, such as an image or dummy, being hanged. (An "effigy" is such a representation.) In protest of the war, a large group has set about hanging the president in effigy outside the White House. If people are hanging the prime minister in effigy in the streets, we need to ramp up his security even more. A: "Sir, they're hanging you in effigy." B: "Good! I'd rather be feared than loved anyway."

See also: effigy, hang

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hang someone in effigy

Fig. to hang a dummy or some other figure of a hated person. They hanged the dictator in effigy. The angry mob hanged the president in effigy.

See also: effigy, hang

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.