the stake

the stake

Execution by being burned alive while tied to a large wooden stake. The township found her guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to the stake.
See also: stake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • stake
  • go to the stake for
  • go to the stake for (something)
  • stake (one's) claim
  • stake a/your claim to somebody/something
  • not for the life of (one)
  • not for the life of me
  • not for the life of me, etc.
  • tap on
  • tap on (something)
References in classic literature
Yet even then he rose with a smile, and thus preserved his reputation; yet I knew that his money bags must be chafing his heart, as well as that, had the stake been twice or thrice as much again, he would still have restrained himself from venting his disappointment.
The croupiers who sat at the two ends of it had not only to watch the stakes, but also to calculate the game--an immense amount of work for two men!
Gambler
Arthur took the stake and the hammer, and when once his mind was set on action his hands never trembled nor even quivered.
The Professor and I sawed the top off the stake, leaving the point of it in the body.
Dracula
I have seen a man taken away from the stake after a dozen spear thrusts had pierced his body and the fire had been lighted about his feet."
A few inches from her was the open doorway of the structure, and beyond, farther down the village street, the blacks were congregating about the prisoners, who were already being bound to the stakes. All eyes were centered upon the victims, and there was only the remotest chance that she and her companions would be discovered until they were close upon the blacks.
Tarzan the Untamed
The stake! The strength went out of me, and I almost fell down.
Connecticut Yankee
The tribe, under the influence of an indescribable terror, disappeared little by little in the huts, and there was complete solitude around the stake. The doctor had, therefore, been right in counting upon the fantastic appearance of the balloon throwing out rays, as vivid as the sun's, through this intense gloom.
The priest, on his knees, for he had not the strength to stand erect, was not even fastened to the stake, his weakness rendering that precaution superfluous.
Five Weeks in a Balloon
Now he was to be the central figure, bound to the stake.
The chief gave orders that Tarzan should be lifted and carried to the stake; but it was several minutes before he could prevail upon any of his men to touch the prisoner.
The Beasts of Tarzan
To the stake they led him, and as they pushed him roughly against it preparatory to binding him there securely for the dance of death that would presently encircle him, Tarzan tensed his mighty thews and with a single, powerful wrench parted the loosened thongs which had secured his hands.
Jungle Tales of Tarzan
The figure at the stake was very still, yet the black warriors were but pricking it.
Tarzan of the Apes
The circle or double hedge that I had made was not only firm and entire, but the stakes which I had cut out of some trees that grew thereabouts were all shot out and grown with long branches, as much as a willow-tree usually shoots the first year after lopping its head.
Robinson Crusoe
"We can't bet, for we've nothing to raise the stakes with!"
A Millionaire of Yesterday