choke back tears

USAGE SUMMARY

"choke back tears" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to try and hold back or suppress tears, typically due to feeling emotional or sad. Example: She couldn't help but choke back tears as she received the award for Best Actress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 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

Don't choke back tears if you start to cry at a meeting.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 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

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

The New York Times

I gave up everything," she said, choking back tears.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "choke back tears" to vividly describe a moment when someone is on the verge of crying but trying to maintain composure. It adds emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "choke back tears" with "choke on tears". The former describes suppressing tears, while the latter, though less common, would imply being overwhelmed by tears to the point of struggling to breathe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choke back tears" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the action of suppressing or holding back tears, typically due to strong emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "choke back tears" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of suppressing tears due to strong emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "hold back tears" or "fight back tears" exist, "choke back tears" vividly conveys the struggle to maintain composure in emotional situations. It's important to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "choke on tears", which carries a different connotation. Using "choke back tears" effectively adds emotional depth to writing, making it a valuable tool for descriptive and narrative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back tears

Focuses on the act of preventing tears from flowing, similar to "choke back tears".

fight back tears

Emphasizes the struggle to control the urge to cry.

suppress tears

Highlights the act of consciously preventing tears from showing.

swallow tears

Implies an effort to internalize the sadness and prevent it from surfacing.

bite back emotion

Highlights the active suppression of any emotion, including sadness.

contain emotions

A broader phrase that includes suppressing sadness along with other feelings.

stifle a sob

Focuses on preventing audible crying.

mask sadness

Highlights the attempt to hide the underlying emotion.

keep a stiff upper lip

An idiomatic expression emphasizing stoicism and emotional restraint.

bear one's grief

Focuses on enduring sorrow without outward expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "choke back tears" to describe someone who is trying not to cry because they are feeling strong emotions. For example: "She had to choke back tears when she heard the news."

What does it mean to "choke back tears"?

To "choke back tears" means to try to stop yourself from crying, often because you are feeling sad, overwhelmed, or touched. It implies an effort to maintain composure.

Which is correct, "choke back tears" or "choke up with tears"?

"Choke back tears" is the standard and more common expression. "Choke up with tears" is less frequently used, though it conveys a similar meaning of being overcome with emotion. Use "choke back tears" for clarity.

What can I say instead of "choke back tears"?

You can use alternatives like "hold back tears", "fight back tears", or "suppress tears" to express a similar sentiment.