Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context idiomatic English) To execute, especially by using a sword. 2 (context idiomatic English) To severely defeat.
Usage examples of "put to the sword".
Townsmen wept unashamedly as they begged for mercy, their hands outstretched, imploring, even as they were put to the sword.
Attila, on his side, was satisfied, and deceived, by their solemn asseveration, that the rest of the captives had been put to the sword.
Outlying Nemedian garrisons were stormed and put to the sword, foraging parties were cut to pieces.
So far, they have only burned a few houses, but Gabrielle is afraid the villagers will be put to the sword, though we did not think that the troops would bother with Erub once we had left.
When taken by the Mungals it is said (with no little exaggeration) that one million four hundred thousand persons were put to the sword.
All that had served too closely with the Roman, or were suspected of loyalty to him, were to be put to the sword.
Perhaps it would have been better had she been put to the sword than condemned to a life beyond the realms of mortal knowledge.
Strongholds in Norway, Sweden, Gothland, Denmark were stormed, said another, and-somehow, though they were elf castles and built with elf skill to withstand assault-they fell as quickly as they had earlier surrendered to the trolls, and their garrisons were put to the sword.