English Explanatory Dictionary

take a ride to Tyburn

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To be executed.

Word forms

take a ride to Tyburn takes a ride to Tyburn taking a ride to Tyburn took a ride to Tyburn taken a ride to Tyburn

Etymology

The phrase originated from Tyburn, an ancient village outside London, where from at least 1330 to the 18th century public executions took place. Prisoners would typically be led from the city of London in an open cart to the infamous "Tyburn Tree", a triple gallows, under which a noose would be placed around their neck and the cart, in which they had been transported to the site, would be driven away, causing them to strangle to death.

Synonyms

dance the Tyburn jig dance on a rope dance on nothing dance the hempen jig dance upon nothing dangle hang ride a horse foaled by an acorn stretch hemp string up swing take a ride to Tyburn trine truss wag hemp
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