throat

[ throht ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

1. the passage from the mouth to the stomach or to the lungs, including the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
2. some analogous or similar narrowed part or passage.
3. the front of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone.
4. the narrow opening between a fireplace and its flue or smoke chamber, often closed by a damper.
5. Nautical, Machinery. swallow ¹( def 13 ).
6. Nautical.
   1. Also called nock. the forward upper corner of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail.
   2. jaw ¹( def 5 ).
7. the forward edge of the opening in the vamp of a shoe.
8. Automotive. barrel ( def 14 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to make a throat in; provide with a throat.
2. to utter or express from or as from the throat; utter throatily.

throat

/ θrəʊt /

noun

1. 1. that part of the alimentary and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the mouth (nasopharynx) to just below the larynx
   2. the front part of the neck
2. something resembling a throat, esp in shape or function

   the throat of a chimney

3. botany the gaping part of a tubular corolla or perianth
4. informal.
   a sore throat
5. cut one's throat
   cut one's throatcut one's own throat to bring about one's own ruin
6. have by the throat
   have by the throat to have compete control over (a person or thing)
7. See jump
   jump down someone's throat
   jump down someone's throat See jump
8. ram something down someone's throat
   ram something down someone's throatforce something down someone's throat to insist that someone listen to or accept (something)

   he rammed his own opinions down my throat

9. stick in one's throat informal.
   stick in one's throatstick in one's craw to be difficult, or against one's conscience, for one to accept, utter, or believe

Word History and Origins

Origin of throat¹

before 900; Middle English throte, Old English throte, throta, throtu; akin to Old High German drozza throat, Old Norse throti swelling. See throttle

Word History and Origins

Origin of throat¹

Old English throtu; related to Old High German drozza throat, Old Norse throti swelling

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cut one's own throat, to bring about one's own ruin:

   He cut his own throat by being nasty to the boss.

2. jump down someone's throat, Informal. to disagree with, criticize, or scold overhastily:

   Wait and let me finish before you jump down my throat.

3. lump in one's throat, a tight or uncomfortable feeling in the throat, as a reaction to an emotion:

   The sight of the infant brought a lump to her throat.

4. ram / force something down someone's throat, Informal. to force someone to agree to or accept (something).
5. stick in one's throat, to be difficult of expression; cause to hesitate:

   The words of sympathy stuck in her throat.

More idioms and phrases containing throat

see at each other's throats ; cut someone's throat ; frog in one's throat ; jump down someone's throat ; lump in one's throat ; ram (shove) down someone's throat ; stick in one's craw (throat) .

Example Sentences

He closed by talking about bullies, saying the best way to deal with them is to punch them in the throat.

From Washington Post

However, in those rare cases, people can carry high amounts of the virus in their nose and throat, scientists recently reported, which suggests they may be able to transmit it to others.

From Popular-Science

Broken though it may be, America is ours, and together we can make this place anew, if we are finally honest with ourselves about the ugliness that has the country by the throat again.

From Time

In it, a soldier stands on an Australian flag and grins maniacally as he holds a bloodied knife to a boy’s throat.

From MIT Technology Review

Ragnow took a hit to the throat area in the first quarter of Sunday’s game.

From Washington Post

I took out my knife, my Ka-Bar, and knocked his teeth out, but they fell into his throat.

From The Daily Beast

The pressure against my throat seemed completely constricting.

From The Daily Beast

With senility's fingers at his throat, it was clear that no more movies were going to be made.

From The Daily Beast

He died in July after being grabbed around the throat by a cop and wrestled to ground where the breath flew out of him.

From The Daily Beast

The coup came just months after Simon revealed he had beaten throat cancer.

From The Daily Beast

A sob rose in her throat, and broke from her lips transformed into a trembling, sharp, glad cry.

From Project Gutenberg

Conny stepped smilingly forward, and proceeded to affix the band around the vicar's massive throat.

From Project Gutenberg

Henceforth he must remember Winifred only when his sword was at the throat of some wretched mutineer appealing for mercy.

From Project Gutenberg

Black Sheep looked up at Harry's throat and then at a knife on the dinner-table.

From Project Gutenberg

He usually seizes his prey by the flank near the hind leg, or by the throat below the jaw.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx