grab (or take) something or someone by the throat

1 seize control of something.

2 attract someone's undivided attention.

❶ 2008CNN transcripts It would be great to see a candidate grab the mortgage issue by the throat and do something.

❷ 2012 Margaret Pomeranz and David StrattonAt the Movies Shot splendidly by Adam Arkepaw in an impressionistic style …, this film grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.