pasar por las horcas caudinas: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  SpainLatin Americaliteraryhistorical
  • To pass under the yoke of the Caudine Forks; literally to undergo the humiliating ritual of passing beneath a wooden yoke as imposed on defeated troops in antiquity.

  Examples

  Beta

  • En la representación histórica, los soldados romanos pasaron por las horcas caudinas como símbolo de su derrota.

    In the historical reenactment, the Roman soldiers passed under the Caudine Forks as a symbol of their defeat.

  • El guía explicó que pasar por las horcas caudinas era un castigo humillante impuesto en la antigüedad.

    The guide explained that passing under the Caudine Forks was a humiliating punishment imposed in ancient times.

  • Durante el acto teatral, los actores representaron cómo los soldados enemigos pasaban por las horcas caudinas con resignación.

    During the theatrical act, the actors portrayed how the enemy soldiers passed under the Caudine Forks with resignation.

  • Los historiadores coinciden en que pasar por las horcas caudinas significaba aceptar la derrota sin resistencia.

    Historians agree that passing under the Caudine Forks meant accepting defeat without resistance.

• 2.

  SpainLatin Americaformalliterary
  • To be forced to accept humiliating terms or to endure a degrading ordeal, especially after defeat or submission.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Después de perder la disputa, tuvimos que pasar por las horcas caudinas y aceptar todas las condiciones del contrato.

    After losing the dispute, we had to endure humiliating terms and accept all the contract conditions.

  • ¿Crees que vas a pasar por las horcas caudinas si aceptas esas imposiciones injustas sin protestar?

    Do you think you will have to endure a humiliating ordeal if you accept those unfair demands without protest?

  • El candidato pasó por las horcas caudinas durante el proceso de selección, enfrentando preguntas muy difíciles y críticas severas.

    The candidate went through a humiliating ordeal during the selection process, facing very tough questions and harsh criticism.