throttle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with technical usage in mechanics/engineering.
Quick answer
What does “throttle” mean?
To reduce or regulate the flow or power of something, especially by constricting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To reduce or regulate the flow or power of something, especially by constricting.
To suppress, choke, or strangle; also refers to the valve in an engine that controls fuel/air mixture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'throttle' for engine control and figurative suppression. 'Throttle back' is common in both.
Connotations
In both, can carry violent connotations due to association with strangulation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American automotive/tech contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “throttle” in a Sentence
throttle [sth] (back/down)be throttled (by sth)throttle at [percentage]throttle into [position]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “throttle” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He pushed the throttle to the firewall for maximum speed.
- The bike's throttle was very responsive.
American English
- She eased off the throttle as she approached the curve.
- Check the throttle cable for any signs of wear.
verb
British English
- The pilot had to throttle back the engines due to turbulence.
- New regulations could throttle innovation in the sector.
American English
- He throttled the engine to get more power out of the turn.
- The government is accused of throttling free speech.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used figuratively for reducing spending or activity: 'The board decided to throttle back on expansion plans.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in tech/engineering papers or historical texts about suppression.
Everyday
Common for driving/engines and for describing someone being choked.
Technical
Precise term for the airflow valve in an internal combustion engine or for bandwidth/process control in computing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “throttle”
- Using 'throttle' as a direct synonym for 'accelerate' (antonym).
- Misplacing the particle: 'throttle down' not 'throttle up' for reduction.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary technical use is for engines (controlling power), it is widely used figuratively to mean 'restrict or suppress' anything (growth, communication, innovation).
Both imply constriction. 'Throttle' specifically refers to constricting the throat to choke someone, or more generally to reducing flow/power. 'Strangle' has a broader sense of killing by choking or figuratively suppressing, but lacks the technical mechanical sense.
Yes. As a noun, it refers to the device (lever, pedal, valve) that controls the flow of fuel or power to an engine.
It is an idiom meaning 'at maximum speed, power, or intensity'. It can be used literally for engines or figuratively for activities (e.g., 'working at full throttle').
To reduce or regulate the flow or power of something, especially by constricting.
Throttle is usually neutral, with technical usage in mechanics/engineering. in register.
Throttle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθrɒt(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθrɑːt(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at full throttle”
- “put the throttle down”
- “throttle back (on)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a THROAT being squeezed (throttled) to restrict airflow, just like an engine's throttle restricts fuel.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL IS CONSTRICTION; SUPPRESSION IS STRANGULATION.
Practice
Quiz
In computing, 'to throttle' a process means: