throttle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'throttle' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as a verb to mean to reduce or restrict the flow or supply of something, usually by the use of a valve or throttle. For example, "The pilot throttled the plane's engine to begin the descent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Posting a jokey picture of herself pretending to throttle Cowell, she wrote: "GUESS WHAT!! I'm baaaacccckkkkk!!!!£iMayActuallyRingHisNeck £XFactor2014 £leggooo".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In quotes from the book: Outside the windows the cars swept past continuously, out of town, into town, lights ablaze, radios at full throttle.

The Guardian - Books

In a few months, the two back wheels will be removed to be replaced by one, Brown will don his bright blue, flame retardant suit and boots, climb into the cockpit, throttle up, hit a button and, hopefully, zoom into the record books.

The Guardian - Tech

I laugh out loud as I engage the motor with full handlebar-mounted throttle – for a brief moment, I feel like I've been given superpowers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But as soon as the consequences of that exercise in democracy loomed – and it appeared that many Tory MPs would vote in favour – the government panicked and the arm twisters were called into action to throttle the voice of the people.

The Guardian

We did wonder yesterday, with much build-up talk of patience before rate rises, thresholds not triggers and other measures to help maintain easy policy without QE3 at full throttle, was setting us up for an early move.

The Guardian - Business

America will throttle its recovery unless it avoids overregulation.

The Economist

He will take over in December 2012, after shadowing Mr Tata for a year.In this section Fracking here, fracking there Business on the bloody border Full throttle The great leap online The magical Mistry tour Built to last ReprintsTata stands for a very Indian way of organising a firm.

The Economist

Obviously, the smaller and lighter the rotating parts in a turbocharger are, the faster it can respond to changes in the throttle setting.

The Economist

That means loosening the regulations that throttle businesses (see article).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Facebook has invested further in short videos, although recent reports of a full-throttle move into original programming appear wide of the mark.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing engines, use "throttle" to refer to the mechanism controlling speed or power. When describing restrictions, consider alternatives like "limit" or "restrain" for broader applicability.

Common error

Avoid using "throttle" loosely when you mean to generally restrict something. While you can "throttle" an engine's output, using it to describe limiting abstract concepts may sound unnatural. For example, say "limit innovation" rather than "throttle innovation".

Linguistic Context

The word "throttle" functions primarily as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it signifies controlling or reducing power or flow. As a noun, it refers to the valve or mechanism that performs this control, such as in an engine. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "throttle" is a versatile term, functioning as both a verb and a noun. Primarily used in contexts relating to engines and control mechanisms, it also extends metaphorically to describe restriction or suppression. As highlighted by Ludwig, while grammatically correct and commonly used, its appropriateness depends on the specific context; more neutral terms like "restrict" might be preferable in certain situations. The Economist and The Guardian are some of the authoritative sources that use it frequently. Be mindful of choosing alternative words to convey the meaning you want based on the subject of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regulate

Emphasizes controlling something methodically, differing from "throttle"'s implication of potential force or abruptness.

choke

Similar to "throttle" in meaning to strangle or impede breath, but lacks the engine-related sense.

constrain

Focuses on limitations and restriction, unlike "throttle" which can also imply acceleration.

restrict

Similar to limit, but often refers to imposing rules or regulations.

restrain

Implies holding back or controlling, applicable in various situations, whereas "throttle" is more specific.

hold back

Implies restraint or suppression, differing from the potential for acceleration in "throttle".

limit

Focuses on setting boundaries or maximums, a more general term than "throttle".

full bore

Similar to "full speed ahead", emphasizing maximum output or effort.

full power

Focuses on maximizing energy or capability, relating to the engine context of "throttle".

full speed ahead

Expresses maximum effort and acceleration, the opposite of restricting but related to the control aspect of "throttle".

FAQs

How can "throttle" be used as a verb?

As a verb, "throttle" means to reduce the flow or supply of something or to strangle. For example, "The mechanic had to "throttle the engine" to slow down the car" or "He threatened to "throttle the informant" if he revealed his secrets".

What does it mean when something is described as "full throttle"?

When something is "full throttle", it means it is operating at maximum power or speed. It can also metaphorically refer to something being done with maximum effort. For example, "The company is operating "at full throttle" to meet the deadline".

What are some synonyms for "throttle" when it means to restrict?

When "throttle" means to restrict, you can use synonyms like "limit", "constrain", "curb", or "restrain". For example, "The new regulations aim to "throttle economic activity"", which could also be written as "The new regulations aim to limit economic activity".

Is it appropriate to use "throttle" in formal writing?

Yes, "throttle" is appropriate in formal writing, but the level of formality depends on the context. In technical or mechanical contexts, it is perfectly acceptable. In other contexts, consider whether a more neutral term like "restrict" or "control" might be more suitable.