put to the sword
verb1
Idiomatic To execute, especially by using a sword.
2
Idiomatic To severely defeat.
- Robin van Persie scored twice as ruthless Arsenal put struggling West Ham to the sword in a match tipped to be Avram Grant's last as Hammers boss.2011 January 15, Kevin Darling, “West Ham 0 - 3 Arsenal”, in BBC:
3
Idiomatic To kill by warfare.
- Coordinate terms
- put to the torch