close one's eyes and think of England

Meaning

Verb

• 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.

Origin

• Supposedly advice given to English 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.) would be to their country.