choke off

1. Put a stop to, throttle, as in Higher interest rates are choking off the real estate boom . [Early 1800s]

2. Stop someone from speaking or complaining, as in Throughout the debate the congressman had to be choked off to give the other candidate a chance to speak . [ Slang ; late 1800s]

Example Sentences

That ended when settlers drove the Native people from their lands, and farmers diverted and choked off the rivers in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

From Los Angeles Times

Elected officials in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Huntington Park and other communities have decried the raids, saying they are tearing families apart, disrupting public life and choking off economic activity.

From Los Angeles Times

During a visit to the front on Thursday, Syrskyi said the line of combat had been "stabilised" and that the Russian summer offensive in the area had been "choked off".

From BBC

The biggest and most damaging target here would be choking off the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which over 20 per cent of the world's oil supplies pass daily.

From BBC

This has contributed to the depressing assessment that should Iran decide to choke off the Strait of Hormuz, through which flows 20-30% of the world's oil supplies, its effect would be considerable.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrest 
• avoid 
• bar 
• block 
• break 
• check 
• close 
• disrupt 
• intercept 
• interrupt 
• stall 
• stay 
• stem 
• suspend