# go to Canossa

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-to-canossa
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To submit to the pope.

## Examples

- The king had to go to Canossa to ask for forgiveness.
- After his public disagreement with the church, the ruler was forced to go to Canossa to seek reconciliation.
- Facing total excommunication and the loss of his throne, the defiant monarch ultimately chose to go to Canossa and humble himself before the pontiff.

## Origin

From the repentance of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV to Pope Gregory VII after his excommunication for appointing bishops.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.