seize (someone) by the throat

Translations
схватить (кого-то) за горло
The prosecutor's questions seemed to seize the defendant by the throat.
Вопросы прокурора, казалось, схватили подсудимого за горло.
Definitions
To grab or hold someone tightly around the neck, often in a threatening or violent manner; can also be used figuratively to describe taking control of someone or something forcefully.