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

“There is doubt, and it’s real,” he said, choking up briefly.

From The Wall Street Journal

He choked up while thanking his supporters, some of whom were present at the hearing and applauded as he entered the courtroom.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’m so choked up that I can barely get words out.

From Literature

“Well, well,” he said, and seemed too choked up to say more.

From Literature

“I choked up,” she said, and called her wife with the news.

From The Wall Street Journal