Phrase guide

put to the sword

verb · 3 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, especially by using a sword.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cut down, put down, hack, strike down

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To severely defeat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To kill by warfare.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: surmata miekalla — to execute with a sword
  • French: passer au fil de l'épée — to execute with a sword
  • Polish: zabijać mieczem — to execute with a sword
  • Polish: zabić mieczem — to execute with a sword
  • Turkish: kılıçtan geçirmek — to execute with a sword