take\ by\ the\ scruff

take\ by\ the\ scruff
v. phr.
1. To assert authority over a person.

Tim's mother took him by the scruff and told him to get cleaned up.

2. To punish a person.

The boss took us by the scruff when he found us chatting idly by the coffee machine.

3. To assume firm control over a job or a situation that has been causing some difficulty.

Someone had better take the post office by the scruff; there are too many customer complaints pouring in.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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