grab (something) by the throat

To put forth great effort toward doing something. You need to grab this opportunity by the throat if you want to attract more customers to your photography studio. Stacey managed the department while I was on leave, and she really grabbed the situation by the throat. I feel like morale is higher now than when I left! You've really got to grab this internship by the throat if you want to get the most out of it.

If you grab someone or something by the throat or take them by the throat, you make a determined attempt to control, defeat, or deal with them. Instead of being passive, you must get out there and grab life by the throat. Gloucestershire took the game by the throat from the start. Note: If you are succeeding in dealing with someone or something, you say that you have them by the throat. He has his enemy by the throat and he is not about to let go.