Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Reaching Canossa

Reaching Canossa

9.9
To ask for forgiveness in a public and often embarrassing way
  • idiom
  • Literature
translation icon : ir a Canossa
  • After months of conflict, the politician ended up Reaching Canossa in front of the media.

Examples

  • Her public statement was a clear case of Reaching Canossa after the scandal.

  • The CEO had no choice but to make a Reaching Canossa apology to the board.

  • After the scandal, the politician's Reaching Canossa was evident in his public apology.

  • Many believe that Reaching Canossa is necessary for true redemption.

  • The actor made a public apology, Reaching Canossa after the controversy surrounding him.

  • She realized she needed to Reaching Canossa to gain back the trust of her followers following the incident.

  • In his heartfelt speech, the athlete was clearly Reaching Canossa for forgiveness after the doping scandal.

Synonyms

self-abasement
vsReaching Canossa
1 9.3

Act of making yourself feel ashamed to show you are sorry

is usually a public seeking of forgiveness rather than private self-punishment
to reach Canossa
vsReaching Canossa
9.9

To accept that you were wrong and ask for forgiveness after being proud

is about seeking forgiveness often through a public humiliating act
journey to Canossa
vsReaching Canossa
  • Formal
9.9

A public, humble apology showing you accept blame

focuses on seeking forgiveness by public humiliation rather than private remorse
cap in hand
vsReaching Canossa
  • UK
7.7

In a humble way when asking for help or forgiveness

involves more extreme public contrition than a simple humble request

Antonyms

defiance
76 5.3

Open refusal to obey people in charge or rules

How Humiliating

Reaching Canossa
  • Literature
9.9
apology
671 1.0

Surface Forms

Reaching Canossa main

Morphology

reaching + Canossa

This phrase is an allusive reference to a specific historical event (the penitent journey to Canossa) and thus its meaning (‘seeking forgiveness by a humiliating or public display of contrition’) cannot be derived from the literal parts. 'Canossa' is a proper name and not a productive lexical element, so an average B1 learner who only knows 'reaching' and the place-name would not predict the idiomatic sense without cultural/historical knowledge.

Etymology

Reaching Canossa comes from a real scene when a king walked to the castle of Canossa to beg the Pope for forgiveness and stood outside, barefoot and ashamed. So, Reaching Canossa today means 'seeking forgiveness' by making a public, often humiliating apology.