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Take No Prisoners

Sometimes you hear someone described as having a “take no prisoners attitude.” I always thought this meant they were generous — heck, they aren’t taking any prisoners, that’s nice of them. It turns out — and I learned this only today on Bunny Watson — that when you “take no prisoners” it means that you kill everyone. Which isn’t very nice at all.

Learn more from the Waramps.

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 4:32pm

Comments

Submitted by paul (not verified) on Sun, 2005-05-22 20:18.
Tales of a misspent youth, I guess: I knew that. I mean, if they weren’t taking prisoners, what else would they do with them? This seems to be Pete’s week to reveal gaps in his knowledge: I wait with bated breath to see what comes up next.
Submitted by Peter (not verified) on Sun, 2005-05-22 20:22.
How about how I thought that the word “awry” was pronounced “ow - ree.”
Submitted by Zach (not verified) on Wed, 2010-07-21 20:53.

No mercy, being very harsh, is the meaning, I like Give no quarter better.

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