by the nape of the neck

by the nape of the neck
by the nape of the neck
by the back of the neck. (Mostly said in threats.) •

He grabbed me by the nape of the neck and told me not to turn around if I valued my life. I stood very still.

If you do that again, I'll pick you up by the nape of the neck and throw you out the door.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • nape of the neck — noun (redundant) nape, back of the neck …   Wiktionary

  • On the neck of — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To break the neck of — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To harden the neck — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To tread on the neck of — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • back of the neck — nape of the neck, area behind the neck …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Nape piercing — Location Nape of the neck Jewelry Barbell, surface bar Healing 3 Months to a year v · …   Wikipedia

  • Neck piercing — Nicknames Vampire Bites Location Surface of neck Jewelry Barbell …   Wikipedia

  • Neck — (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many other… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Neck and crop — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Neck and neck — Neck Neck (n[e^]k), n. [OE. necke, AS. hnecca; akin to D. nek the nape of the neck, G. nacken, OHG. nacch, hnacch, Icel. hnakki, Sw. nacke, Dan. nakke.] 1. The part of an animal which connects the head and the trunk, and which, in man and many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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