have somebody by the throat

Leaders still have their members more or less by the throat.

She was the one who held us by the throat.

He felt as though something had taken him by the throat.

I thought one had only to take it by the throat.

She had him by the throat and didn't even know it.

His hand shot out and caught her by the throat.

He'd like to take him by the throat and- No!

I was close enough to reach out and take him by the throat.

And then something out of the night seemed to catch him by the throat.

On the other hand, special still has us by the throat.