once and for all, hold someone to ransom

Unless we eradicate polio once and for all there will always be a threat that it can come back. The Gates Foundation remains strongly committed to supporting partners, governments, and communities until the job is done.

President Buhari must not bow to their demands. It will only fuel further violence

The Niger Delta Avengers are holding the Nigerian state to ransom
Nigeria’s turbulent oilfields cannot be pacified by bribing rebels
ECON.ST

once and for all (or once for all)

Now and for the last time; finally.

ransom 

Pronunciation: /ˈrans(ə)m/ 

NOUN

1A sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive:the kidnappers demanded a ransom[MASS NOUN]: he was demanding millions of pounds in ransom

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1.1[MASS NOUN] The holding or freeing of a captive in return for payment of a ransom:the capture and ransom of the king

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VERB

[WITH OBJECT]

1Obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a ransom:the lord was captured in war and had to be ransomed

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1.1Hold (a captive) and demand a ransom for their release:an English force burnt the village and ransomed the inhabitants

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1.2Release (a captive) after receiving a ransom:they were all ransomed and returned unharmed

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Phrases

1

hold someone to ransom

Hold someone captive and demand payment for their release.

Example sentences

1.1Demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action:the company would be powerful enough to hold governments to ransom

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2

a king's ransom

A huge amount of money:perfume which cost a king’s ransom per ounce

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Origin

Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n-) 'ransoming, releasing' (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing 'deliverance' and 'atonement'.