choke back

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to suppress (anger, tears, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Suppress, as in He choked back his tears. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

"Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life," he continued, choking back tears.

From BBC

“There are so many people that have come up to me and said, ‘I’m a writer because of you,’ ” he said, choking back tears.

From Los Angeles Times

As congregants shared what they lost after a recent service, they choked back tears and pledged to persevere.

From Los Angeles Times

Barrett’s voice was tightly coiled, as though he was choking back the indignation roiling inside him.

From Los Angeles Times

A South L.A. woman choking back tears said she had been living in her car for 18 months with her family and dog because she had no money.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confine 
• constrain 
• control 
• curb 
• curtail 
• detain 
• deter 
• govern 
• hamper 
• hinder 
• inhibit 
• keep down 
• kill 
• limit 
• prevent 
• repress 
• restrict 
• subdue 
• suppress