1choke 
/ˈtʃoʊk/ verb
chokes; choked; chok·ing /ˈtʃoʊk/ verb 1 [no obj] : to become unable to breathe usually because something gets stuck in your throat or because the air is not good for breathing
▪ Chew your food well so you don't choke. ▪ She choked to death. = She died by choking. ▪ We were choking on fumes. 2 [+ obj] a : to cause (someone) to stop breathing by squeezing the throat
▪ The murderer choked his victim (to death).
b : to make (someone) unable to breathe in a normal way
▪ The thick smoke was choking me. ◊If you or your voice is choked with emotion, rage, etc., you are feeling emotion in such a strong way that it is hard for you to talk.
▪ When she was presented with the award, she was so choked with emotion that she couldn't say her thank-you speech. 3 [+ obj] : to stop (something) from growing or developing
▪ The flowers were choked by the weeds. — often + out ▪ The flowers were choked out by the weeds. 4 [+ obj] : to fill (something) completely so that movement is stopped or slowed
▪ Leaves choked [=clogged, blocked] the drain. ▪ The streets were choked with traffic. — often + up ▪ Logs were choking up the stream. 5 [no obj] informal : to fail to do something well because you are very nervous
▪ When the pressure was on, the tennis star choked and lost the match.
▪ Chew your food well so you don't choke. ▪ She choked to death. = She died by choking. ▪ We were choking on fumes.
▪ The murderer choked his victim (to death).
b : to make (someone) unable to breathe in a normal way
▪ The thick smoke was choking me. ◊If you or your voice is choked with emotion, rage, etc., you are feeling emotion in such a strong way that it is hard for you to talk.
▪ When she was presented with the award, she was so choked with emotion that she couldn't say her thank-you speech.
▪ The flowers were choked by the weeds. — often + out ▪ The flowers were choked out by the weeds.
▪ Leaves choked [=clogged, blocked] the drain. ▪ The streets were choked with traffic. — often + up ▪ Logs were choking up the stream.
▪ When the pressure was on, the tennis star choked and lost the match.
choke back [phrasal verb]
◊If you are choking back tears, rage, anger, etc., you are finding it very hard not to cry or express emotion.
▪ He was choking back tears as he talked about his late wife. ▪ She struggled to choke back her anger as she listened to their criticisms.
▪ He was choking back tears as he talked about his late wife. ▪ She struggled to choke back her anger as she listened to their criticisms.
choke down [phrasal verb]
choke down (something) or choke (something) down informal : to eat (something) with difficulty or without enjoyment
▪ The meal was overcooked, but I managed to choke down a few bites.
▪ The meal was overcooked, but I managed to choke down a few bites.
choke off [phrasal verb]
choke off (something) also choke (something) off 1 : to make (something) smaller, weaker, or less powerful : to cause (something) to slow down or stop
▪ Rising interest rates may choke off consumer spending. ▪ Attempts have been made to choke off debate on the issue. 2 : to prevent (something) from flowing or getting through
▪ A growth on the artery wall is choking off the blood supply.
▪ Rising interest rates may choke off consumer spending. ▪ Attempts have been made to choke off debate on the issue.
▪ A growth on the artery wall is choking off the blood supply.
choke out [phrasal verb]
choke (something) out or choke out (something) : to say (something) with difficulty because of strong emotion
▪ She tearfully choked out an apology.
▪ She tearfully choked out an apology.
choke up [phrasal verb] 1 ◊If you choke up or get/become (all) choked up, you are almost crying and have trouble talking because of strong emotion.
▪ He chokes up whenever he tries to talk about the accident. ▪ She got all choked up when she saw her daughter in her wedding dress. 2 baseball : to move your hands to a higher position on a baseball bat — often + on ▪ He choked up on the bat and took a short swing.
▪ He chokes up whenever he tries to talk about the accident. ▪ She got all choked up when she saw her daughter in her wedding dress.
