expression, godan verb (-u)
draw a sword
Idiomatic expression for drawing a sword from its scabbard, often with a dramatic or formal nuance.
侍は静かに鞘を払った。
The samurai quietly drew his sword.
抜刀 is a more technical or formal term for drawing a sword, often used in martial arts contexts, while 鞘を払う is a vivid, literary expression.
From 鞘 (scabbard) + を + 払う (to clear away, remove), literally 'to clear the scabbard', an idiomatic way to express drawing a sword.