1. put to the sword : 杀死;
名词
1. 剑;刀
A sword is a weapon with a handle and a long sharp blade.
2. 与…交锋;与…争论
If you cross swords with someone, you disagree with them and argue with them about something.
3. (指兼有正面和负面影响的)双刃剑
If you say that something is a double-edged sword or a two-edged sword, you mean that it has negative effects as well as positive effects.
4. Sword of Damocles - see Damocles