put someone to the sword

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

passar a fio de espada, matar com a espada

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

:
The invading army threatened to put the entire village to the sword.
O exército invasor ameaçou passar toda a aldeia a fio de espada.
In ancient times, defeated enemies were often put to the sword.
Nos tempos antigos, inimigos derrotados eram frequentemente passados a fio de espada.