Sounds like another way of saying 'strong-arm' someone.
"A possible explosion ripped through multiple homes in South Philadelphia Thursday, causing them to collapse and leaving at least two people trapped in the rubble.
The blast was so loud it could be heard blocks away; so forceful that evacuated residents reported windows were blown out of their homes.
Police said officials responded to the 1400 block of South 8th Street about 11:30 a.m. Thursday after receiving multiple calls about a house explosion and the smell of gas. Authorities couldn’t offer details regarding the status of the people trapped."
inquirer.com/news/south-philly-fire-explosion-building-collapse-passyunk-20191219.html