# choke

**Pronunciation:** /tʃəʊk/ · chohk

**CEFR level:** B1

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning

To stop breathing because something is blocking your throat, or to make someone stop breathing in this way.

## Examples

- The baby started to choke on his toy.
- He choked on a piece of bread.
- Be careful not to choke on the small seeds.

## Synonyms

- gag — To feel like you are going to vomit, or to make yourself vomit.
- suffocate — To die because you cannot breathe.
- strangle — To kill someone by squeezing their neck.

## Antonyms

- breathe — To take air into and expel it from the lungs.
- inhale — To draw air, vapor, or gas into the lungs.

## Common patterns

- choke on — To stop breathing because something is in your throat. — He choked on a piece of candy.
- choke up — To become unable to speak because you are emotional. — She choked up during her wedding vows.
- choke back — To try to stop yourself from crying or speaking because you are emotional. — He choked back his laughter.
- choke off — To stop something from happening or developing. — The government choked off the protest.

## Collocations

- choke on — He almost choked on a cherry pit.
- choke up — She choked up when she saw her old friend.
- choke back — He choked back his tears.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/choked

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