choke back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'choke back' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to express the idea of struggling to hold back tears or intense emotions. For example: He tried to choke back the tears as he said goodbye to his friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

As he spoke, he seemed to choke back tears.

The New York Times

Blass wrote, "I saw a few young men choke back tears..

The New Yorker

And you know the irony is — " she paused to choke back tears.

The New York Times - Magazine

But with my wife " He had to stop to choke back tears.

The New York Times

The Rangers played as if they had to choke back the tears.

The New York Times - Sports

As I spoke with my wife, I had to choke back my emotions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Other spectators choked back tears.

The Economist

Ensign found herself choking back tears.

The Guardian

I'm choking back tears, here.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As he retold the story, he paused, choking back emotion.

The New York Times - Sports

"You look beautiful, you do," says Ms. Vandlen, choking back tears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "choke back" to vividly describe someone's struggle to control strong emotions, particularly sadness or grief. For example, "She had to "choke back" tears when she heard the news".

Common error

Avoid using "choke back" when a milder expression of emotion is more appropriate. "Choke back" implies a significant effort to suppress a strong feeling; using it for slight disappointment can sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choke back" functions as a phrasal verb, primarily used to describe the act of suppressing or struggling to restrain a strong emotion, particularly tears or sobs. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "choke back" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of suppressing or holding back strong emotions, mainly tears or sobs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts but also appears in scientific and formal settings. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful of potential melodrama and consider alternatives like "hold back" or "suppress" for different levels of formality or intensity. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "choke back" to convey genuine emotion in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back

This alternative is more general and can refer to suppressing any kind of impulse or action, not just emotions.

suppress

This alternative suggests a more forceful effort to restrain something, often with the implication of keeping it hidden.

stifle

This alternative emphasizes preventing something from being expressed fully or freely, often due to fear or embarrassment.

swallow

This alternative implies accepting something difficult or unpleasant without protest or complaint.

fight back

This alternative suggests resisting an urge or impulse with determination, often in response to a challenge or threat.

repress

This alternative indicates an unconscious or involuntary suppression of thoughts, feelings, or desires.

bite back

This alternative suggests suppressing a sharp or critical remark, often with difficulty.

keep a lid on

This alternative is more informal and suggests controlling something to prevent it from escalating or becoming public.

contain

This alternative suggests controlling something to prevent it from escaping or spreading.

curb

This alternative implies restraining or limiting something, often in order to keep it in check.

FAQs

How can I use "choke back" in a sentence?

You can use "choke back" to describe someone suppressing a strong emotion, especially tears or sobs. For example, "He tried to "choke back" his grief during the eulogy".

What's a more formal alternative to "choke back"?

While "choke back" is suitable for many contexts, consider using "suppress" or "restrain" for a more formal tone, especially in professional or academic writing.

What does it mean to "choke back" something?

To "choke back" something, typically tears or emotions, means to struggle to prevent yourself from expressing them, often because of sadness, grief, or strong emotion. It implies a conscious effort to control your reaction.

Is it ever incorrect to use "choke back"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "choke back" can make your writing sound overly dramatic. Consider whether a simpler phrase like "hold back" or "contain" might be more appropriate depending on the intensity of the emotion you're describing.