go for the throat

go for the throat

To engage in an aggressive attack against someone without holding back or showing any mercy; to attack the most vulnerable part of someone. The phrase is usually (though not always) understood as referring to a non-physical attack. Similar to the phrase "go for the jugular." This is politics, and the candidates aren't going to play nice during the debate—they're going to go for the throat any chance they get. If you tangle with him, don't expect a fair fight—he'll go for the throat.
See also: go, throat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be on the offensive
  • offensive
  • lead (someone or something) against (someone or something else)
  • lead against
  • under attack
  • attack
  • illness
  • an attack
  • an attack of (some illness)
  • strike at the heart of (something)
References in periodicals archive
Even so, we have go for the throat and win the game.
defiant moyes' call to arms; SMLO IN ASSOCIATION WITH EUROZONE European round-up
Well, go for the throat. For budding young rockers, yeah, it's probably good to have a gimmick.
Valient Thorr
I felt we needed to go for the throat a little bit more when the opportunity was there.'
Swans overplay their hand
Meanwhile, pride supporters seem to view any attack on their communal celebration as an assault on their very being, and they go for the throat as a result.
Pride and self-hatred
Despite the disappointment at Anfield,Liverpool are not out of the Cup and I expect them to have enough to win at Portsmouth,as long as they go for the throat.
MARK LAWRENSON: Killer instinct's deathly silent
But I'll be okay and I can't wait for the game.'' While Wilson awaits final news on Murray, he is determined to go for the throat in South Wales.
Football: Wilson in sweat on Murray
"Women get angry and go for the throat. Men like to keep beating around the bush."
The death and life of Yellow Creek: in the mountains and hollows of Kentucky coal country, one group of citizens learns what it takes to protect their lives and their land
"Go for the throat when you're looking for work," he suggests.
Getting an edge on selling your services: here's what it really takes to snag a lucrative corporate contract
Under Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa's MO is to go for the throat when previously, under Paul Lambert, it was to go for the draw.
FINAL THOUGHT FOR NET PROFIT; RESULT!with sports betting's top tipster DEREK McGOVERN E-MAIL: betsguru@aol.com, ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JOHN SHAW
Spain and Italy should serve up a cracker in tonight's Euro 2012 Final after both bosses vowed to go for the throat.
Eur in for a treat in final
South North have another reason to go for the throat after today's visitors Tynemouth dented their title ambitions in May when an eighth-wicket stand of 66 won a low-scoring match at Preston Avenue.
Bulls on charge as title race hots up; DUKES NORTH EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
However, Rodgers is an attackminded coach and he will have no qualms about telling his players to go for the throat from the start of tonight's match.
Lively Swans set to go for the throat; FOOTBALL
"You've got to go for the throat and give it all you've got.
New-castle look to veteran Davis; SNOOKER: British Masters
Some orchestras go for the throat and command "Hey, listen to me!"; others smile and invite "listen to this wonderful music".
Enchanting exhilaration and vivid vignettes; Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
The manager added: "There might come a stage when it is completely win or bust and we'll need to go for the throat.
Chappy happy even if his boys miss out