choke up

British  

verb

1. to block (a drain, pipe, etc) completely

2. informal (usually passive) to overcome (a person) with emotion, esp without due cause

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choke up Idioms  

1. Block a channel or other passage, as in Vegetation choked up the creek like a dam . [Late 1600s]

2. Be too emotional or upset to speak, as in She became so emotional about winning that she choked up and was unable to give an interview .

3. Become too nervous or tense in a critical situation to perform, as in He's fine during practice but in a match he tends to choke up . This usage, also put as to choke alone, is especially common in sports. [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

While at times the show has caused me to choke up slightly, I find myself more so tearful that the magic of my kids’ childhoods is passing by.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

And then he proceeded to choke up onstage when he was presented with a window on Disneyland’s Main Street.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2023

Of the tribute from Mr. Boehner, who is known to choke up publicly in big moments, she joked, “I would have been a little disappointed if he didn’t get emotional.”

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2022

"I started to choke up and sob," Moss says, "and then I collapsed."

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2022

He stopped, bit his lip, and began to choke up.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom