Definition

1. Noun:
   • A high, tight-fitting collar: A type of collar, often stiff and standing up, that fits closely around the neck.
   • A close-fitting necklace: A necklace, typically worn by women, that fits snugly around the neck.
   • A person who fails under pressure: An informal, often derogatory term for someone who performs poorly due to nervousness or tension, especially in a critical moment.
   • A person who strangles: Someone who kills by squeezing the throat to prevent breathing.

Usage Examples

• As a high, tight collar:
  • The Victorian dress featured a lace choker.
  • He felt the starched choker was too restrictive.
• As a close-fitting necklace:
  • She wore a simple velvet choker with her evening gown.
  • The diamond choker was the highlight of the jewelry collection.
• As a person who fails under pressure:
  • The team lost because their star player was a choker in the final minutes.
  • Don't be a choker; stay calm during the presentation.
• As a person who strangles:
  • The detective was on the trail of the serial choker. (This usage is less common in everyday language.)

Advanced Usage

• In sports psychology: The term "choker" is often used pejoratively in sports commentary to describe an athlete or team that loses a significant lead or fails in a crucial moment.
  • The media labeled him a choker after he missed the decisive penalty kick.
• In fashion history: The choker necklace has cycled in and out of fashion, often associated with specific eras or subcultures.
  • Pearl chokers were a signature look in the 1990s.

Variants and Related Words

• Choke (verb): To have severe difficulty in breathing because of a constricted or obstructed throat; to fail to perform effectively under pressure.
  • He began to choke on a piece of food.
  • She choked during her piano recital.
• Choking (adjective/noun): Causing difficulty in breathing; the act of strangling.
  • The choking smoke filled the room.

Synonyms

• For a tight collar: Band, stand-up collar.
• For a necklace: Neckband, collar necklace.
• For a person who fails under pressure: Bottler (informal, chiefly British), fold (as in "he folded under pressure").
• For a person who strangles: Strangler, garroter.

Related Phrases

• To choke up: To become too emotional to speak or perform.
  • She choked up while giving her acceptance speech.
• To choke back (tears/emotions): To suppress or hold back tears or strong feelings.
  • He choked back his anger and responded calmly.

Related Idioms

• Choke the life out of something: To suppress or stifle something completely.
  • Bureaucracy can choke the life out of innovation.
• Choke on one's words: To be unable to speak, often due to surprise, guilt, or embarrassment.
  • When confronted with the evidence, he choked on his words.

Noun

1. a high tight collar
2. necklace that fits tightly around a woman's neck
3. an unfortunate person who is unable to perform effectively because of nervous tension or agitation
   • he could win if he wasn't a choker
4. someone who kills by strangling