Phrase guide

take no prisoners

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To be uncompromising.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, prisoner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Implying that one kills all one's enemies instead of capturing them.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: ne pas faire de prisonniers — to be uncompromising
  • French: ne pas faire de cadeaux — to be uncompromising
  • German: keine Gefangenen machen — to be uncompromising
  • Hungarian: nem ismer irgalmat — to be uncompromising
  • Polish: nie brać jeńców — to be uncompromising