choke back: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral, common in narrative and descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “choke back” mean?
To suppress or restrain a strong emotion, typically tears, sobs, anger, or laughter, preventing it from being fully expressed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To suppress or restrain a strong emotion, typically tears, sobs, anger, or laughter, preventing it from being fully expressed.
To physically or metaphorically swallow or hold down something that is rising, often with effort or discomfort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage frequency.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British literary and journalistic narratives, but widely understood and used in both varieties.
Frequency
Medium frequency in both regions; more common in written narratives than in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “choke back” in a Sentence
[Subject] choke back [Direct Object (emotion/reaction)][Subject] choke back [Direct Object] and [Verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “choke back” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She had to choke back her tears during the poignant funeral speech.
- He choked back a sharp retort, knowing it wouldn't help the situation.
American English
- I choked back a sob when I heard the final verdict.
- She choked back her laughter during the serious ceremony.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in contexts describing suppressing a reaction to bad news or a provocative comment in a meeting.
Academic
Rare in formal research. May appear in literary analysis or psychological papers discussing emotional regulation.
Everyday
Common in personal narratives, storytelling, and descriptions of emotional moments.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choke back”
- Using 'choke down' interchangeably (more literal, for food).
- Using 'choke up' (which means becoming too emotional to speak).
- Omitting 'back' and using just 'choke' (changes meaning to physical obstruction).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Choke back' is an active effort to suppress an emotion. 'Choke up' is a passive state of becoming too emotional to speak; the emotion is winning. Example: 'He choked back a sob' (he controlled it) vs. 'He choked up and couldn't continue' (he was overwhelmed).
Yes, though less common. It's often used for laughter or joy that is inappropriate for the moment, e.g., 'He choked back a laugh during the solemn meeting.'
Primarily, but it can be used literally for something physical rising in the throat, like food or bile, though 'choke down' is more typical for food. E.g., 'He choked back the bitter liquid.'
It is a phrasal verb. The particle 'back' changes the meaning of the verb 'choke' from a physical obstruction to a metaphorical act of suppression and is integral to the unit's meaning.
To suppress or restrain a strong emotion, typically tears, sobs, anger, or laughter, preventing it from being fully expressed.
Choke back is usually informal to neutral, common in narrative and descriptive contexts. in register.
Choke back: in British English it is pronounced /tʃəʊk bæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃoʊk bæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Choke back the tears”
- “Choke back a laugh”
- “Choke it back”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine trying to speak while someone is lightly choking you from behind ('back') – your words are forced back down. Similarly, you 'choke back' emotions, forcing them down your throat.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONS ARE FLUIDS/OBJECTS IN THE THROAT (that can be swallowed or blocked).
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario BEST illustrates the meaning of 'choke back'?