stranglehold

American  

[strang-guhl-hohld] / ˈstræŋ gəlˌhoʊld /

noun

1. Wrestling. an illegal hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.

2. a restraining hold in which one person uses an arm to encircle the neck of another; a chokehold.

3. any force or influence that restricts the free actions or development of a person or thing; a stifling grip.

   to break the stranglehold of superstition.

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stranglehold British  

/ ˈstræŋɡəlˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler's arms are pressed against his opponent's windpipe See also Japanese stranglehold

2. complete power or control over a person or situation

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Etymology

Origin of stranglehold

First recorded in 1890–95; strangle + hold ¹

Example Sentences

But of course, as a 40-something woman, I was already well aware of the stranglehold such topics have on my peer group.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Sri Lanka win was the third occasion England were unable to break from a stranglehold.

From BBC

Taylor Swift and Drake were the clear winners on Spotify - except in Newcastle, where Fender broke their stranglehold.

From BBC

The Justice Minister, Naomi Long, has described protection money forced on businesses as a "stranglehold' on the community".

From BBC

China gained a stranglehold over the gallium market when it expanded its aluminum capacity at breakneck speed and included gallium production as part of alumina refining.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grip
• monopoly