put someone to the sword
US /pʊt ˈsʌmˌwʌn tu ðə sɔrd/
UK /pʊt ˈsʌmˌwʌn tu ðə sɔrd/

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.