Meaning of chokehold | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A grappling hold around a person's neck, especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain and restricting breathing.
2. A powerful and restrictive control or influence over something.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“He put⟳ his opponent in a chokehold.”

“Within five to ten seconds, one officer began to apply⟳ a choke hold⟳ by pressing his forearm into [Adolph] Lyons' throat. As Lyons was struggling for air, the officer handcuffed him and continued to apply⟳ the choke hold⟳ until Lyons blacked out. He was almost choked to death. […] Between 1975 and 1982, sixteen people died from the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department]'s use⟳ of choke holds.”

“In competition, judo matches typically have⟳ a standing phase (opponents attempt⟳ to throw⟳ each other) and a ground phase (once an opponent is on the ground, then both opponents can use⟳ a hold⟳ down, literally holding an opponent down for 15 to 25 seconds, or using a choke hold⟳ or similar controlling technique to force⟳ an opponent to submit⟳).”

“One country has a chokehold on another country's economy.”

“With the music industry releasing their chokehold on these television talent shows, it too is looking to other sources like⟳ social media – [Rob⟳] Wade calls TikTok "one giant talent show⟳" – to find⟳ new talent rather than primetime TV.”

“Fellow fashionistas know⟳ the hype of GAP athleisure wear⟳. The nostalgic look⟳ mixed with its soft design⟳ have⟳ the girlies in a chokehold!”

CEFR level