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./