burn at the stake

Idioms  

1. Execute someone by tying to a stake and burning; also, punish severely. This expression refers to a method used in the Middle Ages for putting heretics to death, but now it is used as a hyperbolic metaphor for harsh punishment, as in She was sure she'd be burned at the stake for losing the contract. In fact, the stake can be used loosely for any extreme punishment. William Makepeace Thackeray so used it in Henry Esmond (1852): “'I know I would go to the stake for you,' said Harry.”

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Example Sentences

When Ms. Friedan, during a debate at Indiana University in 1973, recommended that she burn at the stake, Mrs. Schlafly replied in an even voice that she was pleased Ms. Friedan had said that because, she said, the comment had made it plain to the audience just how intolerant “intemperate, agitating proponents of the E.R.A.” were.

From New York Times

It’s not so much about watching her burn at the stake, but the reactions of people around her.

From Time

We even have Roose’s very pregnant wife, a thorn in Ramsay’s side. Add to this list Gilly and her baby, and the Queen Selyse and her daughter Shireen, who Melisandre wants to burn at the stake.

From Forbes

They got the same expression females always have durin' a revival, when they've made up their pra'r-meetin' minds to do what the preacher tells 'em if they burn at the stake for it!

From Project Gutenberg

We have lighted a fire to purify, not to burn at the stake.

From Project Gutenberg