go for the jugular
Meaning(s)
1. be ruthless, attack or criticize someone aggressively
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
if we want to win, we need to go for the jugular
Analysis
The jugular is a part of the neck or throat which is vulnerable to attack. To ‘go for the jugular’ is an idiom which means to be ruthless, attack or criticize someone aggressively or to aim at a vulnerability in order to hurt someone.
Social Examples (Basic)
- Our opponents need to win today, so they'll be going for the jugular right from the first whistle. We must be prepared to deal with that.
- My professor went right for the jugular and told me my essay was awful.
Social Examples (Advance)
- Claire didn't waste any time expressing her displeasure to Tom over what he had done. There was no beating about the bush, she went straight for the jugular.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Ryan believes that in negotiations, you need to go for the jugular in order to secure the best deal.
- I'm going to go right for the jugular here, your plan looks doomed to fail.