be put to the sword

be put to the sword

To be slain or executed, especially in or as a consequence of war. Scores of villagers were put to the sword by the merciless invaders, and those who survived were left with a ravaged, empty township. If we don't flee the area now, we'll be put to the sword by our enemies! It's been weeks since my grandfather's hometown was overtaken, and no one has heard from him. We can't help but ask that dreadful question: "Has he been put to the sword?"

See also: put, sword, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

put to the sword

To kill; slay.

See also: put, sword, to

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.