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

---

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]

---

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

It was enough to make Madden choke up as he began his eulogy.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2023

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

Colbert said on Wednesday, pretending to choke up.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2022

He tried to choke up on the branch, to move closer to the safety of the sturdy trunk, but he was no match for the power of Pain.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman