go for the throat
Target the jugular
Go for the throat means to attack someone's most vulnerable point, aiming to defeat or destroy them decisively.
The phrase evokes predators killing prey by biting the neck.
It suggests ruthless, aggressive action without restraint or mercy: When she saw weakness in his argument, she went for the throat.
In competition or debate, going for the throat means abandoning caution to pursue total victory.
- aggressivenessForceful, hostile disposition
- attackAggressive act against another
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- strangleholdOppressive, unbreakable control
- ruthlessnessLack of compassion or mercy
pull no punches · play hardball · soft spot · snap · weak point · Achilles' heel · blood in the water · ferocity · bite · viciousness · bare knuckle · fight dirty · zero in on · exploit · susceptibility · go for the jugular · cut to the quick · exposure
go for the throatpull punches
Deliberately moderate one's force
hold back · show mercy · let off the hook · kid gloves · tread lightly
go for the throatbeat around the bush
Avoid stating directly
tiptoe around · hedge · pussyfoot · sugarcoat · soft-pedal
go for the throatbeat around the bush
Avoid stating directly
sidestep · skirt the issue · hedge · equivocate · turn the other cheek