at sword's point

Idioms  

1. Also, at swords' points. Antagonistic, hostile, as in Father and son were at swords' points. Dating from the days when swords were used to settle quarrels, the idiom today generally signifies only a bitter quarrel.

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Example Sentences

When the board commenced computing costs of living and methods of keeping it down, Mrs. Rumsey and Professor Ogburn found themselves at sword's point.

From Time Magazine Archive

His contacts with Congress were infrequent and before long the White House and the Hill were at sword's point.

From Time Magazine Archive

His brother-in-law, James de Lancey, was Chief Justice, and at sword's point with Clinton, the Governor of New York.

From Greenwich Village by Cram, Allan G. (Allan Gilbert)

Yet do I not stand at sword's point with those who had rather promiscuously retain all than abridge any, and obstinately be what they are than what they have been.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

The masterly horsemanship of the Disinherited Knight enabled him for a few minutes to keep at sword's point his three antagonists, but it was evident that he must at last be overpowered.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 07 — Fiction by Mee, Arthur