grab (you) by the throat

to completely hold your attention or emotions.

Jealousy grabbed him by the throat and destroyed his marriage.

Usage notes: also used in the forms take you by the throat or hold you by the throat:

This is an adventure that takes you by the throat and doesn't let you go until the end of the film.

• your smart mouth
• yours truly
• your tail between legs
• your tail between your legs
• your two cents
• your two cents worth
• your way out of a paper bag
• your wedding tackle
• your whole world came crashing down around
• your whole world came crashing down around you
• you said it
• You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
• You should be so lucky!
• You've got me there.
• You've made your bed .
• You've made your bed and you'll have to lie in it.
• You wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish something on my worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish something on your worst enemy.
• zero in
• zero in on
• zero in on something
• zero-sum game
• zone out