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drawn and quartered

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
*drawn and quartered
Fig. to be dealt with very severely. (Now fig. except in historical accounts; refers to a former practice of torturing someone guilty of treason, usually a male, by disembowling and dividing the body into four parts. *Typically: be ~; have someone ~. Fixed order.) Todd was practically drawn and quartered for losing the Wilson contract. You were much too harsh with Jean. No matter what she did, she didn't need to be drawn and quartered for it!
See also: and, drawn, quarter


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? References in classic literature
nevertheless hanged, drawn and quartered in the midst of hideous
That same evening, the gentleman in the white waistcoat most positively and decidedly affirmed, not only that Oliver would be hung, but that he would be drawn and quartered into the bargain.
Already, after six short weeks, he was hanging, drawn and quartered, in one of Fallon's meat-markets.
 
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