ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go for the throat

idiom
Meaning

To exert an unrestrained, aggressive effort, especially by assailing an opponent's or victim's area of greatest vulnerability.


Examples
SIMPLE

In the final round, he decided to go for the throat.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyer waited until the witness was confused before she went for the throat with a difficult question.

COMPLEX

Rather than seeking a compromise, the rival company went for the throat by launching an aggressive campaign aimed at their competitor's weakest market.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  4. 04

    boldly go where no man has gone before

    To break new ground.

  5. 05

    bone in the throat

    A source of continuing annoyance; a hindrance.

  6. 06

    bring a lump to someone's throat

    To engender a strong emotional reaction.

  7. 07

    come and go

    To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.

  8. 08

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

Last updated April 17, 2026