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.

---

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

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

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)

La Huri�re, driven back by De Mouy as far as Coconnas, who did not recognize him, and received him at sword's point, was begging for mercy on both sides.

From Marguerite de Valois by Dumas père, Alexandre