PhrasesHub

Sent to Coventry

    Definitions

      • ostracize or ignore someone
        To deliberately ignore or exclude someone, often as a form of punishment or to show disapproval

      • isolate or shun
        To socially isolate or shun someone, typically as a form of silent treatment or as a means of expressing disapproval or disdain

    Examples of Sent to Coventry

    • John stopped talking to his friend Sarah abruptly after a misunderstanding, leaving her "sent to Coventry."

      The phrase "sent to Coventry" refers to being deliberately ignored or excluded from social interaction as a form of punishment or retaliation. In this example, John has stopped speaking to Sarah, making her feel isolated and ostracized, as if she has been shunned and banished from their social circle. It's a way of communicating that the person being "sent to Coventry" has done something wrong or displeased the other person, and that they want to make a display of their disapproval.

    • John stopped speaking to his cousin Rachel after their argument, and suddenly she felt like she had been sent to Coventry.

      The idiom "sent to Coventry" refers to being ignored or ostracized in a situation where usually there would be communication or interaction. It originated during World War II, when British bombers returning from raids would fly over Coventry, a strategically targeted city, without acknowledging their presence. In this idiom example, John's cousin Rachel feels like she has been made invisible in their relationship, just as Coventry was ignored by the returning bombers.

    • The sales team had a poor performance last quarter, and management responded by sending them to Coventry until they could improve their results.

      This example highlights the managerial use of the idiom, where a group of people are isolated in order to remove distractions and put pressure on them to perform better. It can also be seen as a punishment, as being sent to Coventry can be a frustrating and isolating experience.

    • During the meeting, Karen suddenly stopped contributing her ideas and seemed to be sent to Coventry by the rest of the team.

      This use of the idiom highlights the fact that communication can be a two-way street, and neglecting to respond to someone can lead to the breakdown of that communication. Karen's sudden silence may be interpreted as a lack of interest or engagement in the meeting, causing her to be ostracized by the rest of the team.

    • The company's IT department had been working hard on fixing a critical bug, but after the issue persisted for several days, the management sent them to Coventry until they could resolve the problem.

      This final example shows that being sent to Coventry can be a practical solution in some situations, such as when a group of people needs to focus on a particular task without external distractions. It can also be a difficult and isolating experience for the group being sent to Coventry, as it can lead to feelings of frustration and disengagement.

    • John stopped talking to Sarah after they had an argument. She was left feeling confused and ignored, as if she had been sent to Coventry.

      The phrase "sent to Coventry" is used to describe the situation when someone is deliberately excluded from social interaction, communication or friendship, usually as a punishment or as a result of a conflict or argument. Coventry is a city in England that was heavily bombed during World War II, which resulted in a mass exodus of people from the city. The expression "sent to Coventry" refers to the isolation that people faced during this time, as they were suddenly cut off from the rest of society. When someone is sent to Coventry in a social context, they are effectively ostracized and left in a state of silence or isolation as a means of punishment. In John's case, he stopped speaking to Sarah after they had an argument, leaving Sarah feeling confused and isolated, as if she had been sent to Coventry.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Sent to Coventry" is used to describe the act of deliberately ignoring or ostracizing someone. It is often done as a form of punishment or to show disapproval. When someone is sent to Coventry, they are socially isolated or shunned, usually through the silent treatment or by being excluded from social interactions. This can be a way of expressing disapproval or disdain towards the person.

    The phrase can be used in various contexts, such as in personal relationships, social groups, or even in a workplace setting. It is a way for people to convey their disapproval or to punish someone for their actions by deliberately ignoring them or excluding them from social interactions.

    Origin of "Sent to Coventry"

    The origin of the idiom "Sent to Coventry" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the city of Coventry in England, where it was said that the people of Coventry would ostracize or ignore individuals who were not in agreement with the majority. Another theory speculates that the phrase may have originated from the practice of sending prisoners of war to Coventry, where they would be isolated and ignored by the locals.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "Sent to Coventry" has come to be widely used in the English language to describe the act of ostracizing or ignoring someone as a form of punishment or disapproval. It has become a well-known phrase to convey the idea of social isolation or shunning.