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

The Engineers' heroes were Pilgrim McRaven, an ex-G.I. who won the 121-lb. class, and Ed Erikson, who pinned his man in the 165-lb. finals with a half nelson and a body press.

From Time Magazine Archive

The professor of philosophy couldn't break the half nelson, though he struggled on.

From Time Magazine Archive

The relationship between the two antic entertainers is like a half nelson after a series of handshakes.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the four years since Dino Gentili clamped a half nelson on Italy's China trade, he has pushed it from almost zero to $1,000,000-plus a month.

From Time Magazine Archive

I had a pretty good half nelson on him.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger