Choke Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary choke 4 ENTRIES FOUND:

• choke (verb)
• choke (noun)
• choke chain (noun)
• choke hold (noun)

1 choke /ˈtʃoʊk/ verb chokes; choked; choking 1 choke /ˈtʃoʊk/ verb chokes; choked; choking Britannica Dictionary definition of CHOKE 1 [no object] : to become unable to breathe usually because something gets stuck in your throat or because the air is not good for breathing

• Chew your food well so you don't choke.
• She choked to death. = She died by choking.
• We were choking on fumes.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [+ object] a : to cause (someone) to stop breathing by squeezing the throat

• The murderer choked his victim (to death).

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to make (someone) unable to breathe in a normal way

• The thick smoke was choking me.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ If you or your voice is choked with emotion, rage, etc., you are feeling emotion in such a strong way that it is hard for you to talk.

• When she was presented with the award, she was so choked with emotion that she couldn't say her thank-you speech.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] : to stop (something) from growing or developing

• The flowers were choked by the weeds.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + out

• The flowers were choked out by the weeds.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] : to fill (something) completely so that movement is stopped or slowed

• Leaves choked [=clogged, blocked] the drain.
• The streets were choked with traffic.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often + up

• Logs were choking up the stream.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [no object] informal : to fail to do something well because you are very nervous

• When the pressure was on, the tennis star choked and lost the match.

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choke back

[phrasal verb] ◊ If you are choking back tears, rage, anger, etc., you are finding it very hard not to cry or express emotion.

• He was choking back tears as he talked about his late wife.
• She struggled to choke back her anger as she listened to their criticisms.

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choke down

[phrasal verb] choke down (something) or choke (something) down informal : to eat (something) with difficulty or without enjoyment

• The meal was overcooked, but I managed to choke down a few bites.

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choke off

[phrasal verb] 1 choke off (something) also choke (something) off : to make (something) smaller, weaker, or less powerful : to cause (something) to slow down or stop

• Rising interest rates may choke off consumer spending.
• Attempts have been made to choke off debate on the issue.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to prevent (something) from flowing or getting through

• A growth on the artery wall is choking off the blood supply.

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choke out

[phrasal verb] choke (something) out or choke out (something) : to say (something) with difficulty because of strong emotion

• She tearfully choked out an apology.

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choke up

[phrasal verb] 1 ◊ If you choke up or get/become (all) choked up, you are almost crying and have trouble talking because of strong emotion.

• He chokes up whenever he tries to talk about the accident.
• She got all choked up when she saw her daughter in her wedding dress.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 baseball : to move your hands to a higher position on a baseball bat — often + on

• He choked up on the bat and took a short swing.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 choke /ˈtʃoʊk/ noun plural chokes 2 choke /ˈtʃoʊk/ noun plural chokes Britannica Dictionary definition of CHOKE [count] : a part in a vehicle that controls the flow of air into the engine ASK THE EDITOR

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