chokehold

plural chokeholds · alternative choke-hold · alternative choke hold

1. governmentA grappling hold around a person's neck, especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain and restricting breathing.

   He put his opponent in a chokehold.

   2 more examples

   Within five to ten seconds, one officer began to apply a choke hold by pressing his forearm into [Adolph] Lyons' throat. As Lyons was struggling for air, the officer handcuffed him and continued to apply the choke hold until Lyons blacked out. He was almost choked to death. […] Between 1975 and 1982, sixteen people died from the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department]'s use of choke holds.

   2001, Lisa A. Kloppenberg, “The Court Uses Standing to Discourage Redress for Racial Wrongs”, in Playing it Safe: How the Supreme Court Sidesteps Hard Cases and Stunts the Development of Law (Critical America), New York, N.Y.; London: New York University Press, →ISBN, page 67

   In competition, judo matches typically have a standing phase (opponents attempt to throw each other) and a ground phase (once an opponent is on the ground, then both opponents can use a hold down, literally holding an opponent down for 15 to 25 seconds, or using a choke hold or similar controlling technique to force an opponent to submit).

   2012, Scott McNeely, “Combat Sports”, in Ultimate Book of Sports: The Essential Collection of Rules, Stats, and Trivia for over 250 Sports, San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books, →ISBN, page 118

   Synonyms: neckhold

2. broadlyfigurativelyA powerful and restrictive control or influence over something.

   One country has a chokehold on another country's economy.

   2 more examples

   With the music industry releasing their chokehold on these television talent shows, it too is looking to other sources like social media – [Rob] Wade calls TikTok "one giant talent show" – to find new talent rather than primetime TV.

   2021 September 15, Laura Martin, “How Talent Shows Became TV’s Most Bizarre Programmes”, in BBC Online, archived from the original on 18 Apr 2023

   Fellow fashionistas know the hype of GAP athleisure wear. The nostalgic look mixed with its soft design have the girlies in a chokehold!

   2024 October 8, Megan Uy, Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien, “65+ Fall Prime Day Fashion Deals Your Closet Is Begging You to Shop”, in Cosmopolitan, New York, N.Y.: Hearst Corporation, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 08 Oct 2024

   Synonyms: stranglehold, throttlehold

present singular third person chokeholds · participle present chokeholding · participle past chokeheld · past chokeheld

1. transitiveTo put a hold around the neck of (someone), especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm.
2. broadlyfigurativelytransitiveTo exert tight, restrictive, control over someone or something.