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.