choked up

USAGE SUMMARY

"choked up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate emotional difficulty and/or loss of control, such as when someone has difficulty speaking because they are overwhelmed with emotion. For example: "When he heard the news, he was so choked up that he couldn't even speak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He choked up.

The New York Times

Everyone was choked up".

Independent

I choked up.

The New York Times

I'm getting choked up again.

The New Yorker

Then she choked up again).

The New Yorker

I mean, I choked up.

The New Yorker

Are you choked up yet?

The New York Times

Aidan O'Brien was choked up.

The New York Times - Sports

I choked up too.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's choked up.

The Guardian - Film

She choked up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "choked up" can effectively show a character's emotional state without explicitly stating it. For example, "He choked up, unable to finish the sentence."

Common error

Avoid using "choked up" to describe physical choking. The phrase refers specifically to an emotional state causing difficulty in speaking. For physical obstruction, use "choked" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choked up" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state where someone is overcome with emotion, often sadness or sentimentality, making it difficult for them to speak. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "choked up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that effectively conveys emotional distress or sentimentality, often to the point of making it difficult to speak. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure you're describing emotional, not physical, choking. While "choked up" is generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives exist, such as "became emotional" or "lost composure", depending on the context. Remember to maintain consistency and clarity in your writing to effectively convey the intended emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became emotional

Focuses on the emotional state rather than the physical sensation of choking.

teared up

Specifically refers to the eyes filling with tears, indicating sadness or emotion.

got emotional

A more general way of saying someone became affected by their feelings.

was overcome with emotion

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by strong feelings.

lost composure

Indicates a loss of self-control due to strong emotion.

struggled to speak

Focuses on the difficulty in speaking due to emotional distress.

voice cracked

Refers to the voice wavering due to emotion.

couldn't find the words

Highlights the inability to express oneself verbally.

became speechless

Indicates a temporary loss of the ability to speak.

was at a loss for words

Similar to becoming speechless, but emphasizes surprise or being overwhelmed.

FAQs

How can I use "choked up" in a sentence?

You can use "choked up" to describe someone who is so overcome with emotion that they have difficulty speaking. For example, "She "choked up" when she talked about her childhood."

What's a more formal way to say "choked up"?

While "choked up" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "became emotional", "was overcome with emotion", or "lost composure" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "choked up with laughter"?

Yes, it's correct. It describes someone so amused they have trouble speaking due to laughter, as in Ludwig example: "His face "choked up" with laughter."

What's the difference between "choked up" and "choked"?

"Choked up" refers to an emotional state causing difficulty speaking, while "choked" refers to a physical obstruction in the airway. For instance, "He "choked up" during the speech," versus "He choked on a piece of food."