Phrase guide

hang, draw and quarter

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To execute (someone) by hanging until nearly dead, followed by castration, disembowelling, beheading and quartering; especially as a punishment for high treason.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To savagely attack, or attempt to utterly destroy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • hanged, drawn and quartered by the press

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From hang + draw and quarter.