half nelson

American  

noun

Wrestling.

1. a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck.

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half-nelson British  

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler places an arm under one of his opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with his palm on the back of his opponent's neck Compare full nelson

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Etymology

Origin of half nelson

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

To teach his son the “half nelson” move, the coach had a young Szkotnicki demonstrate it on him.

From Washington Post

Police were called to a home on May 29 and found Strong’s 39-year-old roommate holding him down with a wrestling move called a “half nelson.”

From Washington Times

Arriving officers reported entering a bedroom with a damaged door and finding a 39-year-old man holding Calvin Strong, 42, face down in what the younger man called a half nelson.

From Washington Times

All he needed to do was shift his weight and sink the half nelson.

From Literature

I had a pretty good half nelson on him.

From Literature