Having had the match by the scruff of the neck in the second set, the Belarusian said it had an emotional impact on her when Jabeur eased her grip on the contest.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/sabalenka-looks-toughen-mentally-after-jabeur-defeat-3627861?cid=cna_flip_070214

I just sensed that it wouldn’t have taken that much for us to get hold of the game by the scruff of the neck.

Source: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/23964898.dorchester-town-1-1-beaconsfield-town-abandonment-backed/?ref=rss

Pinchbeck then kept Melton at bay until the last half-an-hour when the visitors grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and the floodgates opened.

Source: https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/sport/football/melton-move-up-into-top-five-with-win-4342304

Remember that Hermansen save at 1-1… Coventry played very well and could easily have won but Dewsbury-Hall took this game by the scruff and won it for us!

Source: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-told-simple-way-8658046

The self-confessed “scruff” has a passion for guitars, the work of fellow architect Luis Barragán, and finds most answers in the study of Le Corbusier.

Source: https://www.ft.com/content/066987de-e7e6-491a-b7d6-990cbab74199

Yet, when called to account, when grabbed by the scruff of their necks and dragged to the principal’s office, bullies whine, lie, wring their hands and cast blame on others.

Source: https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/04/24/skin-in-the-game-3/