Definition

1. Noun:
   • A wrestling hold that restricts breathing: A physical grip, typically in wrestling or combat, where pressure is applied to the opponent's neck to cut off air or blood flow.
   • Complete, restrictive control over a person or situation: A condition or position of overwhelming power that severely limits the freedom, choices, or development of someone or something.

Usage and Examples

• Literal (wrestling/combat):

  • The fighter secured a stranglehold, forcing his opponent to tap out.
  • Applying a stranglehold is illegal in many sports due to its danger.

• Figurative (control/influence):

  • The company has a stranglehold on the local economy, owning all the major factories.
  • The new regulations are seen as a stranglehold on innovation in the industry.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a stranglehold on something": To possess dominant and often suffocating control over a particular market, resource, or situation.
  • The tech giant has a stranglehold on the smartphone operating system market.
• "to tighten/loosen its stranglehold": To increase or decrease the level of oppressive control.
  • The regime tightened its stranglehold on the press after the protests.

Variants and Related Words

• Chokehold (noun): Often used interchangeably with the literal wrestling meaning of "stranglehold." It can also imply similar figurative control.
  • The police officer used a chokehold to restrain the suspect.
  • The monopoly has a chokehold on the supply chain.

Synonyms

• Monopoly: Exclusive control over a commodity or service.
• Grip: A firm hold or influence.
• Dominance: Power and influence over others.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Death grip": An extremely tight and unyielding hold, similar in figurative use to a stranglehold.
  • The corporation has a death grip on the industry, crushing all competition.
• "In a vise/vice": In a situation of severe pressure or constraint.
  • Small businesses are caught in a vise between high rents and the retail giant's stranglehold.

Noun

1. a wrestling hold in which the arms are pressed against the opponent's windpipe
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