close one's eyes and think of England

Alternative forms

• shut one's eyes and think of England
• lie back and think of England

Etymology

Supposedly advice given to women whose husbands were soon to attempt to have sexual intercourse with them, encouraging them to think of how beneficial children (who could grow up to be soldiers, sailors, merchants, etc) were to England.

Verb

close one's eyes and think of England

1. (idiomatic) To accept (rather than fight)—and distract oneself so as to be able to endure—bad or unwanted sex, or by extension any unpleasant but inevitable experience.