Definition

1. Noun:
   • A physical restraining hold: A chokehold is a grappling hold where one person's arm is tightly looped around another person's neck, typically from behind, to restrict breathing or blood flow and subdue them.
   • Complete dominance or control: A chokehold is a situation of overwhelming power or control that one person, group, or factor has over another, severely limiting their freedom or options.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Hold):
  • The officer used a chokehold to subdue the suspect.
  • Applying a chokehold is considered a dangerous and restricted technique in many police departments.
• Noun (Dominance/Control):
  • The new regulations tightened the government's chokehold on the industry.
  • The company has a financial chokehold on its suppliers, dictating all the terms.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a chokehold on (something/someone)": To possess complete and often oppressive control.
  • The monopoly has a chokehold on the entire market.
• "to put/place a chokehold on (something)": To apply such complete control.
  • High interest rates are putting a chokehold on economic growth.

Variants and Related Words

• Stranglehold (noun): A very similar term, often used interchangeably in the context of dominance and control. (e.g., )
• Choke (verb): To restrict or block airflow; to fail to perform effectively under pressure.

Synonyms

• Physical Hold: stranglehold, neck hold, grappling hold.
• Dominance/Control: stranglehold, iron grip, tyranny, domination, supremacy.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "In a chokehold": Being in a state of complete subjugation or control.
  • The small nation was in an economic chokehold by its larger neighbor.
• "Tighten the chokehold": To increase the level of control or pressure.
  • The sanctions were designed to tighten the chokehold on the regime.

Noun

1. a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind
   • he grabbed the woman in a chokehold, demanded her cash and jewelry, and then fled
2. complete power over a person or situation
   • corporations have a stranglehold on the media
   • the president applied a chokehold to labor disputes that inconvenienced the public