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go for the jugular

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go for the jugular

to attack fiercely in order to have no doubt about winning He was a politician known as someone who went for the jugular of his opponent.

Related vocabulary: play hardball

Etymology: from the idea that an animal often kills another animal by biting the jugular vein (tube that carries blood) in the neck, causing the animal to bleed to death quickly

See also: jugular

go for the jugular

  (informal)

to criticize someone very cruelly by talking about what you know will hurt them most

Usage notes: The jugular is a large vein that carries blood to the heart.

Cunningham, who usually goes straight for the jugular, seemed strangely reluctant to say anything.

See also: jugular