jugular

American  

[juhg-yuh-ler, joo-gyuh-] / ˈdʒʌg yə lər, ˈdʒu gyə- /

adjective

1. Anatomy.

   1. of or relating to the throat or neck.

   2. noting or pertaining to any of certain large veins of the neck, especially one external jugular vein collecting blood from the superficial parts of the head or one internal jugular vein collecting blood from within the skull.

2. (of a fish) having the pelvic fins at the throat, before the pectoral fins.

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noun

1. Anatomy. a jugular vein.

idioms

1. go for the jugular, to attack a vital and vulnerable trait, feature, element, etc., in an attempt to overcome somebody or something swiftly and totally.

   The defense attorney went right for the jugular by attempting to destroy the witness's credibility.

jugular British  

/ ˈdʒʌɡjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated near the throat or neck

2. of, having, or denoting pelvic fins situated in front of the pectoral fins

   a jugular fish

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noun

1. short for jugular vein

2. to make a savage and destructive attack on an enemy's weakest point

jugular More Idioms  

1. see go for, def. 4.

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Other Word Forms

• interjugular adjective
• postjugular adjective
• subjugular adjective

Etymology

Origin of jugular

1590–1600; < Late Latin jugulāris, equivalent to Latin jugul ( um ) throat ( jugulate ) + -āris -ar ¹

Example Sentences

At 21-0 up, they were camped on the Argentina line, looking to go for the jugular.

From BBC

The relentless nature of the way Hearts began the game, going at Celtic's jugular in a way that only teams with true belief really can.

From BBC

The injury to Lee's jugular vein, though requiring extensive surgery, was not critical - but he now campaigns behind bulletproof glass, wearing a bulletproof vest, surrounded by agents carrying ballistic briefcases.

From BBC

Against the Aztecs, Terry’s mindset was to frame the ball, trying not to do too much, but going for the jugular.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than requiring open brain surgery, it is installed into a person's jugular vein in their neck, then moved up to their brain through a blood vessel.

From BBC

Related Words

• gruff
• hoarse