send (one) to Coventry

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

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

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