Literal meaning. That is, ‘chop off his head’. It is now usually used humorously as a means of mildly reproaching someone.
Shakespeare used the phrase many times in his plays and I can find no record of any earlier usage; for example, in Henry VI Part III, 1592:
QUEEN MARGARET:
Off with his head, and set it on York gates;
So York may overlook the town of York.
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