APAD: jump down one's throat

Definition

   a harsh and aggressive verbal confrontation

 

Examples

   1) When I innocently mentioned her mistake, she immediately jumped down my

      throat, accusing me of trying to undermine her.

   2) When I asked my boss for a day off, he immediately jumped down my throat,

      criticizing my commitment to work.

 

Etymology

   It likely originates from the physical act of thrusting something down

   another person's throat.

 

Synonyms

   berate, blast

 

- englishdaily626.com [edited]

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I first heard this phrase from the movie You've Got Mail on my first flight out

of China, 26 years ago.

 

                        JOE

        We are going to buy out their entire inventory

        of architecture and New York history for the

        new store.

                        NELSON

        How much, son. How much are your paying?

                        JOE

        Well, whatever it costs, it won't be as much as

        that exquisitely uncomfortable mohair episode there,

        which is now all over my suit.

                        NELSON (throwing to JOE the lint roller)

        Here you go.

                        JOE

        Thanks. We are also going to have a section dedicated just

        to writers who've lived on the west side.

                        SCHUYLER

        As a sop to the neighborhood.

                        NELSON

        Perfect. It'll keep those West Side

        liberal nut, pseudo-intellectuals, bleeding

        hearts...

                        JOE

        Readers, dad. They're called readers.

                        NELSON

        Don't do that, son. Don't romanticize them. It'll keep

        them from jumping down your throat.

 

But I don't remember using it, in writing or conversation. I didn't know

'mohair,' or 'bleeding hearts.' Even now, what does the 'episode' mean?