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

At Thanksgiving dinner after Pa said grace, Ma choked up and got tears in her eyes.

From Literature

“I got a little choked up when they let me know, because it’s a big responsibility,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Natalie got choked up, but Patience didn’t have time for getting sentimental.

From Literature

“When they picked me up, they just bagged me. Everything, time stood still that day,” he told Kweli, choking up slightly.

From Los Angeles Times