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.