put to the sword: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘put to the sword’ mean?
The idiom "put to the sword" means to kill or execute someone with a sword, often after a battle or as a form of punishment.
Idiom Explorer
In the idiom *put up one's dukes*, "dukes" refers to fists. It means to prepare oneself for a fight or confrontation.
The idiom "put to work" means to utilize or employ someone or something for a particular purpose or task.
The idiom "put to the test" means to evaluate or assess something or someone to determine their capabilities or suitability in a specific situation or challenge.
The idiom "put to bed" means to complete or finish something, especially a task or project, and to make it ready for the next stage or for use. It often refers to the finalization or completion of work.
The idiom "put the wood in the hole" means to complete or finish a task or project. It is often used to emphasize the final step or action needed to achieve a desired outcome.
The idiom "put the screws" means to apply pressure or force in order to make someone do something or to extract information from them. It implies the use of manipulation or coercion to achieve control or compliance.
The idiom *put the hammer down* means to take decisive action or to enforce strict measures.
The idiom "put the boot in" means to physically or metaphorically attack or criticize someone, especially when they are already down or vulnerable. It implies delivering additional blows or insults to worsen their situation.
The idiom "put someone out of their misery" means to end someone's suffering or discomfort, particularly when they are experiencing a difficult or painful situation. It implies a compassionate or merciful act of helping someone escape from their distress.
FAIL
The idiom "put a gun to someone's head" is closely related to the expression "put to the sword." While "put to the sword" refers to the act of killing or executing someone with a sword, "put a gun to someone's head" describes a situation where someone is threatened with immediate harm or death using a gun.
In both cases, these idioms convey a sense of extreme violence and danger. They emphasize the severity and ruthlessness of the actions being described. Whether it's being put to the sword or having a gun to one's head, these idioms highlight the grave consequences and potential loss of life involved.
Another related idiom is "put to bed," which has a completely different meaning. "Put to bed" is often used in a metaphorical sense to describe the completion or finalization of a project, task, or issue. It implies that something has been successfully finished or resolved.
In contrast, "put to the sword" and "put a gun to someone's head" are much more intense and violent in nature. They depict situations where lives are at stake and where the outcome can be fatal.
There is also the phrase "put it to," which has multiple meanings depending on the context. One possible interpretation is to present an idea or proposal for consideration. In this sense, it can be seen as putting something forward to be scrutinized or evaluated. It can also be used to suggest confronting and dealing with a difficult or challenging situation head-on.
"Put to the sword" can be seen as another way to confront a problem or threat directly, but with more violent and destructive consequences. It implies a complete and forceful action taken against someone or something in order to eliminate or overcome it.
Finally, there is the idiom "put to the test," which refers to subjecting someone or something to a trial or evaluation in order to assess its capabilities, effectiveness, or reliability. This expression implies a need to prove oneself or something else under certain conditions or expectations.
While "put to the sword" does not specifically involve a test or evaluation, it does emphasize the act of testing someone's or something's endurance or resilience. Being put to the sword is a brutal and unforgiving test, one that often results in the complete destruction or defeat of the individual or group being tested.
Overall, the idiom "put to the sword" is closely related to other expressions that involve extreme violence, threat, resolution, and evaluation. These idioms each convey a specific and vivid image or concept, highlighting the severity and impact of the actions or situations being described.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "put to the sword" can be used in a sentence are:
- After receiving news of the rebellion, the king ordered his soldiers to put the rebels to the sword.
- In the dark ages, prisoners of war were often put to the sword by their captors.
- The invading army showed no mercy and put everyone they found in the village to the sword.
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