put (one) to death
To execute someone. The state put the mass murderer to death, the first execution in nearly 50 years.
put (someone or some creature) to death
to kill someone or some creature. The killer was put to death right at midnight.
put to death
Kill, execute, as in Another convicted murderer was put to death last night. [c. 1400]
put somebody to ˈdeath
kill somebody as a punishment; execute somebody: The prisoner will be put to death at dawn.