“Lie Back and Think of England” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 16, 2024 by Liam Daniel

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase ‘lie back and think of England’? If so, you may have wondered what they were referring to. Let’s take a look at what this phrase means and where it originally came from. We will also look at how the term can be used in a day to day conversation.

“Lie Back and Think of England” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “lie back and think of England” is a historical idiom that suggests someone should endure an unpleasant situation with a sense of resignation or detachment, often with the implication that one should not engage emotionally or personally.
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“Lie Back and Think of England” Meaning

The phrase “lie back and think of England” is a euphemistic expression that implies enduring an unpleasant situation with a sense of resignation, particularly in the context of sexual relations. It suggests that one should detach themselves from the experience and mentally focus on something more pleasant or neutral—in this case, the idea of England—rather than engage fully in the discomfort.

Examples:

  • “When it came time to take my medicine, I just had to lie back and think of England.”
  • “She didn’t enjoy the long meeting, but she decided to lie back and think of England until it was over.”

Origin of This Idiom

The phrase ‘lie back and think of England’ was originally used in Victorian times as advice given to young women by their mothers as to what to do when they were in the bedroom with their husbands. In those days, if a husband wanted intimate relations, the woman was to oblige regardless of whether she wanted to or not. Specifically the term refers to England and growing its population, the woman being advised may stand to become pregnant and so the act of intercourse should be bared by the woman for the sake of her country.

Usage of “Lie Back and Think of England”

  • In a conversation about a challenging situation:

“When he was asked to do the extra work despite not being in the mood, he sighed and said he would just lie back and think of England.”

  • Talking about enduring discomfort:

“She didn’t enjoy the long meeting, but she decided to lie back and think of England until it was over.”

  • During a humorous discussion:

“When my friend mentioned her boring date, I joked that sometimes you just have to lie back and think of England.”

  • In a reflection on duty:

“In life, we often have to do things we don’t want to do; sometimes you just have to lie back and think of England.”

Related Terms to “Lie Back and Think of England”

  • Grin and bear it – to endure a difficult situation with a smile or without complaining.
  • Put up with – to tolerate or endure something unpleasant or annoying.
  • Suck it up – to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining.
  • Endure – to suffer through something painful or difficult with patience.
  • Bite the bullet – to face a painful or unpleasant situation bravely and with determination.
  • Tough it out – to persist in a challenging situation without giving in.
  • Make the best of a bad situation – to find a way to cope positively with a difficult circumstance.
  • Roll with the punches – to adapt to difficult situations and continue on without becoming upset.
  • Keep a stiff upper lip – to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity or discomfort, often associated with British stoicism.
  • Bear the brunt – to endure the worst part of something difficult or unpleasant.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are other ways in which you can say the term ‘lie back and think of England.’

Here are some examples of things you can say in its place.

“Lie Back and Think of England” Examples

Examples in Statements

This is a statement being made by a history teacher.

  • ‘The women were advised to lie back and think of England, because the men should be able to lay with them whenever they pleased.’

The next statement is being made by a husband to his wife.

  • ‘I know you don’t want to have sex right now, but you could just lie back and think of England.’

Conversation Examples

You are likely to hear the term ‘lie back and think of England’ in many different types of conversation. Here are some examples to demonstrate how one of these conversations might sound.

The first conversation is taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1: “I have really lost all interest in my husband, physically.”
  • Person 2: “How are you managing to cope with that?”
  • Person 1: “Well, I just lie back and think of England while he gets on with it.”

The next conversation is happening between a mother and daughter.

  • Person 1: “I am so tired of trying to get pregnant now, my body is aching.”
  • Person 2: “But you really want a baby, so perhaps you will just have to lie back and think of England.”
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