take-no-prisoners

[ teyk-noh-priz-uh-nerz, ‑-priz-nerz ]

adjective

1. wholeheartedly aggressive; zealous; gung-ho:

   a businessman with a take-no-prisoners attitude toward dealmaking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of take-no-prisoners¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

As a political lefty who has also admired Musk’s business successes, the scariest thing about his taking the reins of government is that his bulldozing, take-no-prisoners style has frequently paid off.

From Slate

Her allies see hints of Margaret Thatcher in her take-no-prisoners style.

From BBC

In between seasons of his Emmy-winning series “Atlanta,” Glover in 2018 released a take-no-prisoners rap track, “This Is America,” which garnered 924 million views and beat out Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Lady Gaga to win four Grammys, including record and song of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Take-no-prisoners storytelling, the work of a master storyteller.

From Seattle Times

His first lawyer Roy Cohn taught Trump everything he knows about being a ruthless, belligerent, con man who could get away with murder with a take-no-prisoners, win at all costs attitude.

From Salon