"Send to Coventry" is an idiomatic English phrase that refers to the act of deliberately ostracizing or isolating someone as a form of punishment or social exclusion. It is often used to describe the collective effort of a group or community to ignore or shun an individual, typically due to their perceived wrongdoings or unpopular behavior.
The phrase originated from the historical context of the city of Coventry in England during the English Civil War in the 17th century. During this time, Coventry was a stronghold of the Royalist supporters, while the Parliamentarians were regarded as enemies. The phrase is believed to have its roots in the practice of sending captured enemy soldiers, especially Parliamentarian troops, to Coventry, where they would be shunned and isolated by the Royalist citizenry.
Metaphorically, the phrase "send to Coventry" has been adopted over time, displaying its usage in various contexts beyond warfare. It signifies a deliberate collective effort to exclude or ignore an individual by denying them social interaction, conversation, or acknowledgement, thereby effectively isolating them from the group or society.
In contemporary usage, "send to Coventry" is frequently employed in informal settings, such as schools, workplaces, or social groups, where individuals who have fallen out of favor, committed acts deserving of retribution, or are deemed undesirable may experience this form of social banishment.
