stifle it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stifle it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to suppressing or restraining an emotion, thought, or action. Example: "She tried to stifle it, but a laugh escaped her lips." Alternative expressions include "suppress it" and "hold it back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But you can stifle it," he admits.

The Economist

Don't look for ways to stifle it.

The New York Times - Sports

PATENTS are supposed to encourage innovation, not stifle it.

The Economist

Does it enrich human experience, or stifle it?

The Guardian - Opinion

As much as I'd like to stifle it occasionally.

The New York Times

They do not promote imagination; they stifle it.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that's why leaders with the power to stifle it tend to do so.

The New Yorker

To the Editor: Students must learn that concision can convey emotion and need not stifle it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Perhaps getting it out from under Microsoft corporate control, which has obviously stifled it, might allow it to unfold its wings and fly.

Forbes

Bureaucracy and corruption are stifling it.

The Economist

It impedes and stifles it," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In narrative writing, apply this phrase to describe the physical effort of suppressing a laugh, yawn or cry in a formal or quiet setting.

Common error

Avoid using "stifle it" when the action results in the complete and final termination of a life or a permanent state; stifle implies an ongoing pressure or a restraint that prevents expression or growth, rather than a total deletion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stifle it" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "stifle" acts upon the direct object pronoun "it". According to Ludwig data, it is primarily used to denote the prevention of an action or the suppression of a state. It follows standard English syntactic rules for verb-object constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stifle it" is a robust and widely accepted expression in the English language. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently used in the context of suppressing innovation, creativity or individual expressions like laughter. Its presence in high-authority media outlets confirms its status as a sophisticated yet accessible choice for writers. Whether you are discussing government policies that might "stifle it" (referring to the economy) or a person trying to "stifle it" (referring to a sneeze), the phrase remains semantically clear and grammatically correct. It serves as an effective metaphor for lack of air or growth, making it particularly powerful in professional and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suppress it

Suggests a more deliberate or forceful effort to keep something from being revealed or developed

hold it back

Focuses on the internal struggle of restraining an impulse or emotion

smother it

Uses a stronger metaphor implying that the object is being extinguished or suffocated

quell it

Often used in the context of silencing doubts, fears or public disturbances

curb it

Implies placing a limit or restraint on something that is growing or moving

repress it

Commonly used in psychological contexts for thoughts or socially for political movements

check it

Suggests stopping or slowing the progress of something, often temporarily

muffle it

Specific to suppressing a sound or making it less distinct

choke it back

Highly evocative of restraining strong emotions like tears or anger

nip it in the bud

An idiomatic way to say stop something at an early stage

FAQs

How to use "stifle it" in a sentence?

You can use "stifle it" to describe restraining an impulse or obstructing progress, for example: "She tried to stifle it, but the laughter burst out anyway" or "Burdensome regulations might stifle it before the startup can grow."

What can I say instead of "stifle it"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "suppress it", "smother it" or "hold it back".

Is "stifle it" formal or informal?

The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is frequently used in high-level journalism and business analysis (formal) as well as in casual descriptions of human behavior (informal).

What is the difference between "stifle it" and "quell it"?

While both mean to suppress, "quell it" is often used for stopping something active like a riot or a feeling of anxiety, whereas "stifle it" suggests a lack of air or space for something to develop.