take-no-prisoners
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of take-no-prisoners
First recorded in 1990–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The take-no-prisoners combative style that made him stand out in the 1980s has become just as mainstream as professional wrestling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2025
New Flames coach Ryan Huska follows the time-honored pro sports pattern of teams replacing a hard-line, take-no-prisoners coach with a “communicator” who’s much easier going.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 17, 2023
Mr. Reid was a take-no-prisoners politician who never backed down from a fight and instigated more than a few — perhaps a legacy of his days as a boxer.
From New York Times ● Jan. 24, 2023
In his answer, Allen revealed that Snyder was behind the team’s take-no-prisoners approach to Williams’ situation.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 11, 2022
Her intelligence and take-no-prisoners approach to playing made her a formidable opponent.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
