put to the sword

Verb

Meaning

(idiomatic) To execute, especially by using a sword.
Synonyms: cut down, put down, hack, strike down

(idiomatic) To severely defeat.

(idiomatic) To kill by warfare.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Synonyms

put to death

Examples

As in Tyre, men of military age were put to the sword and the women and children were sold into slavery. Source: Internet

Being expelled from his See by the Arian emperor Constantius for defending the Catholic faith, and being put to the sword privately at Cera in Tuscany, he died gloriously. Source: Internet

Cromwell himself said of the slaughter at Drogheda in his first letter back to the Council of State: "I believe we put to the sword the whole number of the defendants. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

put to the blush put to the horn put to the question put to the test put to the torch put to trouble