Some idioms including 'down'

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could you give me a picture to help me understand:

1. Jump down one's throat
2. Breathe down one's neck

I know the meaning of them but what is the sense of the two 'down's here? My imagination is, 'down the throat' could refer to swallow while 'down the neck' could suggest something comes down onto your neck or simply downward along your neck. Oh, no, I am totally confused. Please help me out. Thank you.

haiaho

[Alan]

Hi Haihao,

Jump down someone's throat as you know suggests reacting violently to what someone has said. It gives the idea of going down into someone's throat and shouting back at the words that have come out of the other person's mouth.

Breathe down someone's neck suggests monitoring what someone is doing to such an extent that you inhibit them in what they are doing. You can imagine doing something while the critic (if you follow) is so close to you that you can feel their breath coming down the back of your neck.

A
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[Haihao]

Hi Alan,

I am now completely satisfied and feel like having already got along with the two idioms well. I have also learned from your interpretation that I should use someone's instead of one's for the both. Thank you very much indeed.

haihao