Common and Similar Uses
- A similar expression to “take no prisoners” is the British military term of “giving no quarter.” Essentially quarter might mean quarters or living arrangements for prisoners. Thus giving no quarter can be specifically connected to the phrase “take no prisoners.”
- Shoot to kill - a similar expression implying the explicit authorization of military and especially police units is to use weapons to kill targeted persons rather than to maim or disable such persons. It does not however imply a negation of taking prisoners but does similarly imply that the use of deadly force is necessary to be used.
- In modern usage, “take no prisoners” is used in a political sense, referring a person’s political approach, styles of written and visual arts, and speaking abilities. A politician who delivers an aggressive and vindictive speech against an opposing party might be considered to have a “take no prisoners” attitude.
- A book that includes extremely graphic violence might be written in a “take no prisoners” style, which does not spare the reader any details. *It could also reflect on a person’s parenting abilities, or one's lifestyle. A parent who punishes all children for the misbehavior of one child might be adopting a “take no prisoners” approach.
- This too may be translated in modern day as being aggressive.
Read more about this topic: Take No Prisoners
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