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Put to the Sword

What Does "Put to the Sword" Mean?

homeidiomsPut to the Sword
"Put to the sword" is an English idiom. It means "to defeat or destroy a group of people or an opponent through violent means, often in battle or conflict."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "put to the sword" used in a sentence:
  • In ancient battles, armies often sought to put their enemies to the sword to establish dominance.
  • The ruthless conqueror was known for putting entire cities to the sword as a means of intimidation.
  • Efforts should be made to seek peaceful resolutions rather than putting adversaries to the sword.
meaning for put to the sword

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Put to the Sword" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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