NOT TO GIVE QUARTER

v. phr. 1. To be utterly unwilling to show mercy; not to allow a weaker or defeated party the chance to save themselves through escape. The occupying foreign army gave no quarter they took no prisoners, shot everyone, and made escape impossible. 2. To argue so forcefully during a negotiation or in a court of law as to make any counter-argument or counter-proposal impossible. The District Attorney hammered away at the witnesses and gave no quarter to the attorney for the defense.