choke hold

noun

1
: a hold that involves strong choking pressure applied to the neck of another
2
: absolute dominance or control
had a choke hold on the city's finances

Examples of choke hold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If Neely hadn’t died from Penny’s choke hold but from another cause, any other cause, then a reasonable jury would have no choice but to acquit the defendant. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Penny courageously intervened, restraining Neely, including applying a choke hold, until police arrived at a station stop and took Neely away. The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024 Penny, a former Marine, placed Neely in a choke hold for about six minutes on a New York City subway in May 2023 after Neely got on the car yelling and asking people for money. Philip Marcelo The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024 Perhaps the nurse Kayce put in a choke hold should sue the state … Jamie’s assistant should also sue the state. William Earl, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for choke hold 

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of choke hold was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near choke hold

Cite this Entry

“Choke hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choke%20hold. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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