Grab someone/something by the throat phrase
To gain a position of having control over someone/something.
The Taliban have grabbed Afghanistan by the throat, almost 20 years after being ousted by a US-led military coalition.
Having heard that enemy forces grabbed the city by the throat, many citizens fled their country.
To get, capture or command someone's rapt attention.
With a view to grabbing the listener by the throat, I added shocking images and videos to my presentation.
The Livestream of presidential elections grabbed me by the throat.
The verb "grab" must be conjugated according to its tense.
The origin of this phrase is not clear.
hurt someone or yourself
If you try to carry that suitcase, you’ll do yourself a mischief.