What Does "Lie Back and Think of England" Mean?
"Lie back and think of England" is an English idiom. It means "an instruction for someone, especially women, to endure an unpleasant experience, especially a sexual one, by thinking of something else or dissociating mentally."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "lie back and think of England" used in a sentence:- Though it's an outdated and problematic phrase, 'lie back and think of England' was once advice given to women on their wedding night.
- The saying, 'lie back and think of England', reflects old societal norms and expectations.
- She sarcastically said, 'I suppose I should just lie back and think of England?', expressing her disapproval.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Lie Back and Think of England" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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