Definition

1. Verb:
   • To suppress or hold back (an emotion, reaction, or utterance) with effort: "choke back" means to forcibly restrain something, typically a strong feeling like tears, anger, or words, preventing it from being expressed outwardly.

Usage

• The verb "choke back" is a transitive phrasal verb. It requires a direct object (the thing being suppressed).
• It is often used in contexts involving emotional control.
• Common collocations: choke back tears, choke back a sob, choke back anger, choke back a reply.

Examples

• Verb:
  • She had to choke back her tears during the sad farewell.
  • He choked back a sharp retort, choosing to remain silent instead.
  • The news was so shocking I had to choke back a cry.

Advanced Usage

• "to choke back on": This variant is less common but can be used, emphasizing the internal struggle of suppression.
  • He choked back on his disappointment and congratulated the winner.

Variants and Related Words

• Choke down (verb): A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "choke back," especially for emotions. It can also literally mean to swallow something with difficulty.
  • He choked down his pride and apologized.
• Suppress (verb): A more general synonym meaning to prevent the expression or operation of something.
• Swallow (verb): Used figuratively to mean accepting or suppressing a feeling or remark.

Synonyms

• Hold back: To restrain or prevent from doing something.
• Bite back: To stop oneself from saying something.
• Stifle: To suppress or hold back.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Choke up (verb): To become too emotional to speak. (Note: This describes the state of being emotionally overwhelmed, not the active suppression denoted by "choke back").
  • He choked up while giving his speech.

Related Idioms

• Bite one's tongue: To stop oneself from saying something to avoid trouble, similar in meaning to choking back words.
  • I had to bite my tongue during the argument.

Verb

1. suppress
   • He choked down his rage