take a ride to Tyburn

English

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.

Verb

take a ride to Tyburn (third-person singular simple present takes a ride to Tyburn, present participle taking a ride to Tyburn, simple past took a ride to Tyburn, past participle taken a ride to Tyburn)

1. (archaic, idiomatic) To be executed.

   He took a ride to Tyburn for stealing that purse.