chokehold

American  

[chohk-hohld] / ˈtʃoʊkˌhoʊld /

Or choke hold

noun

1. a restraining hold in which one person encircles the neck of another in a viselike grip with the arm, usually approaching from behind.

   The suspect was put in a chokehold and was gasping for breath.

2. a stifling grip; stranglehold.

   a company that once had a chokehold over the PC market.

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chokehold British  

/ ˈtʃəʊkˌhəʊld /

noun

1. the act of holding a person's neck across the windpipe, esp from behind using one arm

2. complete power or control

   the chokehold the mob has had on the town

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Example Sentences

They represent the hope that old gadgets, not new mines, are the fastest way to loosen China’s chokehold over the supply of rare-earth metals that are essential for the modern world.

From The Wall Street Journal

Texas rare-earth magnet maker Noveon Magnetics has raised $215 million from investors as the U.S. pushes to develop domestic sources of a vital electronics component that China, the world’s largest supplier, has under a chokehold.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cooper promised more "assertive action" to "tighten the chokehold" on the shadow fleet with more "disruption" and "enforcement measures".

From BBC

This represents a massive shift from years past, when rock-bottom mortgage rates had the housing market in a chokehold.

From MarketWatch

Within days, American industries from defense to electric vehicles faced paralysis, and the chokehold affected several other critical sectors: semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, chemicals.

From The Wall Street Journal