put someone to the sword

US /pʊt ˈsʌmˌwʌn tu ðə sɔrd/
UK /pʊt ˈsʌmˌwʌn tu ðə sɔrd/
"put someone to the sword" picture
1.

pasar a cuchillo, matar con la espada

to kill someone, especially with a sword or other sharp weapon

:
The invading army threatened to put the entire village to the sword.
El ejército invasor amenazó con pasar a cuchillo a todo el pueblo.
In ancient times, defeated enemies were often put to the sword.
En la antigüedad, los enemigos derrotados a menudo eran pasados a cuchillo.