hold to ransom

Stagnant polls have prompted him to refine his message, blending the promise of higher living standards with a warning that Scottish nationalists could hold to ransom a minority Labour government, forcing it to borrow more and edge toward Scottish independence.

"Armed bands loot, hold to ransom and racketeer the population," he said.

"Armed bands loot, hold to ransom and racketeer the population," Mr Deby said.

Vizco el Borje held human life cheap: he stuck at no murder, though he sought not bloodshed, for his tactics were to take alive and hold to ransom.

The "government" sat no more in the seats of the mighty, but lounged and swung their legs from the tables, openly and shamelessly discussing the next coup � faire, houses to dismantle, or rich men to hold to ransom or doom to death.