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Glite Dictionary
to hit the jugular

to hit the jugular

9.3
To attack the most important part of an argument or plan
  • idiom
translation icon : atacar el punto crítico
  • In her critique, she hit the jugular by identifying the fundamental flaw in the proposal.

Examples

  • He really hit the jugular with his argument.

  • The prosecutor's questions hit the jugular and left the witness visibly shaken.

  • If you want to resolve this argument, you need to hit the jugular instead of skirting the issue.

  • When discussing climate change, she hits the jugular every time.

  • In his speech, the politician skillfully hit the jugular by pointing out the flaws in his opponent's plan.

  • To resolve the conflict quickly, we need to hit the jugular and focus on the main issue at hand.

  • The article hit the jugular by exposing the corruption within the organization, sparking widespread outrage.

Synonyms

to strike a blow
vsto hit the jugular
3 7.4

To seriously damage an idea or reputation

aims precisely at the most vital part to end or defeat it

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to sidestep the issue
1 6.0

To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject

Surface Forms

hit the jugular infinitive
hit the jugular past
hit the jugular past participle
hitting the jugular present participle
hits the jugular third person singular

Morphology

hit + the + jugular

The meaning 'to address or attack the most vital point' is directly derivable from combining 'hit' (to strike or attack) with 'jugular' (a vital, vulnerable area); the anatomical-vulnerability metaphor maps clearly onto attacking a critical issue. Although 'jugular' is somewhat specialized vocabulary, if a B1 learner knows both constituents the composition is straightforward and is mirrored in other languages (e.g., Spanish 'ir a la yugular'), making the expression readily understandable.

Etymology

Hit the jugular comes from a literal image: to hit the jugular means to strike the large vein in the neck that can quickly stop or weaken someone. That's why the phrase now means 'to attack or address the most vital point' of a problem.