DRAW AND QUARTER

{v. phr.}, {literary} 1. To execute someone in the barbaric medieval fashion of having him torn into four pieces by four horses tearing his body in four different directions. * /The captured foreign marauders were drawn and quartered by the angry citizens of ancient Frankfurt./ 2. To punish someone very severely. * /"If you miss another homework assignment, John," the teacher said, "I'll have you drawn and quartered."/