Jump down someone's throat
/dʒʌmp daʊn ˈsʌmwʌnz θrəʊt/informalUK · US
What does “Jump down someone's throat” mean?
Jump down someone's throat means to react to someone with sudden, harsh criticism
If you ask where the keys are and receive an angry lecture about being careless, you might feel someone jumped down your throat. The response seems too strong.
“Don’t jump down my throat” asks the other person to stop. It can also make an argument worse if said aggressively.
When do people say it?
Use it when a reply feels angry and unnecessarily harsh. It often follows an innocent question or a small mistake.
“I only asked where the keys were; there was no need to jump down my throat.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The image exaggerates an angry verbal response into a physical attack.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Jump down someone's throat” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Blow a fuse, to suddenly lose your temper
Last updated 2026-10-01