pass under the yoke
Of a defeated army, to be humiliated by the victors.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The defeated soldiers had to pass under the yoke.”
“After the long siege ended, the surviving troops were forced to pass under the yoke as a sign of their total submission.”
“The conquering general demanded that the entire captured battalion pass under the yoke, ensuring their humiliation was witnessed by the cheering crowds.”
From the Latin *sub iugum*, the phrase records a ritual humiliation practised by the peoples of ancient Italy, most notably the Romans and the Samnites. Defeated soldiers were compelled to march beneath a literal yoke, an arrangement of spears that forced the men to stoop. This physical gesture of submission served as a public acknowledgement that the conquered were no longer their own masters.
The modern English word subjugate stems from this same Latin source. The practice ensured that the conquered could return home with their lives, provided they were willing to trade their dignity for the privilege of continuing to breathe.
- 01
come to pass
To happen; to occur.
- 02
hard pass
An unequivocal rejection with no possibility of a later change of mind.
- 03
let this cup pass from me
An appeal to God or another authority to take away one's present or future suffering.
- 04
parade passed someone by
Someone missed out on the joys of life, an opportunity, or popular movement
- 05
pass away
To die.
- 06
pass muster
To meet or exceed a particular standard.
- 07
pass on
To die.
- 08
pass the bottle of smoke
To acquiesce in some falsehood; to make pretence.
Last updated August 10, 2026