choking

Variant of choke

choke Definition

choke (c̸hōk)

transitive verb choked, choking chok′·ing

to prevent from breathing by blocking the windpipe or squeezing the throat of; strangle; suffocate; smother; stifle
to block up; obstruct by clogging
to hinder the growth or action of; smother; suppress
to fill up
to cut off some air from the carburetor of (a gasoline engine) in order to make a richer gasoline mixture
☆ to hold (a bat, golf club, etc.) away from the end of the handle and closer toward the middle

Etymology: ME choken, aphetic < OE vt. aceocian, to choke, prob. < base of ceoke, jaw, cheek

intransitive verb

to be suffocated; have difficulty in breathing
to be blocked up; be obstructed
to become strained with emotion a choked voice
Informal to be unable to perform efficiently, as in a sporting event, because of tension, strong emotion, etc.

noun

choke Idioms

choke back

to hold back (feelings, sobs, etc.)

choke down

to swallow with difficulty

choke off

to bring to an end; end the growth of

choke up

to block up; clog
to fill too full
choke (): often with on
☆ Informal to be unable to speak, act efficiently, etc., as because of fear, strong emotion, tension, etc.

choking Usage Examples

Object

sob: At home she was finally able to cry and it came in painful, choking sobs like coughing up ice cubes.
tot: Boy, 9, saves choking tot ` We'll hold referendum on police.. .
fume: The rescuers risked their lives by crawling through dense choking fumes in which they found the injured men trying to crawl to safety.
hazard: Contains small parts which could present a choking hazard.

Modifying Another Word

nearly: Nearly choking on my Marks & Spencer's kebabs, the familiar face of Ailsa drifted onto the screen.

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