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• half nelson
  half nelson

  noun

  a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck.
• half-nelson
  half-nelson

  noun

  a wrestling hold in which a wrestler places an arm under one of his opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with his palm on the back of his opponent's neck Compare full nelson

half nelson

American  

noun

Wrestling.

1. a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck.

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half-nelson British  

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler places an arm under one of his opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with his palm on the back of his opponent's neck Compare full nelson

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Etymology

Origin of half nelson

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

half nelson half-nelson

The professor of philosophy couldn't break the half nelson, though he struggled on.

From Time Magazine Archive

The relationship between the two antic entertainers is like a half nelson after a series of handshakes.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the four years since Dino Gentili clamped a half nelson on Italy's China trade, he has pushed it from almost zero to $1,000,000-plus a month.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Engineers' heroes were Pilgrim McRaven, an ex-G.I. who won the 121-lb. class, and Ed Erikson, who pinned his man in the 165-lb. finals with a half nelson and a body press.

From Time Magazine Archive

I had a pretty good half nelson on him.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger

In the meantime Mr Ghani is seeking to free Afghan politics from the half-nelson of strongmen.

From Economist ● Mar. 1, 2018

But this time the railroaders seemed determined to keep their half-nelson on the country until it wheezed.

From Time Magazine Archive

Horse threw a hold around my neck and locked me into his half-nelson.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Colonel Hedgepath was on Bull’s back applying a half-nelson and laughing in victory before Bull was ever aware there was a fight.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

He warred against it, but his tongue was a transient orator who, in moments of madness or in the dazzling half-nelson of a father’s arm, assumed a life and career of its own.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy