be run out of town on a rail

[chchkevin]

What is the meaning of this sentence?

I tried my luck in Hollywood and was run out of town on a rail.

Regards

 

[Rover_KE]

I've no idea.

In what context did you read this?

Rover

 

[emsr2d2]

If you're "run out of town" then you are chased away from your location, either aggressively or just by people's treatment of you. I have never heard "on a rail" added to the end of it.

Criminals or other undesirables used to be "run out of town" years ago. Groups of law-abiding citizens would get together and literally chase the person out of the town and it was usually clear that the person was not welcome to return.

 

[5jj]

Riding the rail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SoothingDave]

Better than being tarred and feathered.

 

[chchkevin]

Thanks for your help.

It was interesting to read the notes in Wikipedia.
Cheers everyone!

 

[Ouisch]

There was a time when being run out of town on a rail was literal, as mentioned in the Wikipedia link and as shown at 3:20 in this film clip. Today when someone says they were "run out of town on a rail" they mean it figuratively, that they were forced to leave (usually in a hurry).

 

[chchkevin]

Thanks Ouisch!