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

Beijing’s stranglehold on rare-earth minerals sparked new efforts to produce the raw materials integral to cars and gadgets.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Jambos began the day six points clear at the top of the table as they aim to break a 40-year stranglehold of Scottish football by Celtic and Rangers.

From Barron's

Those channels had hung on to audiences largely thanks to their stranglehold on live events.

From MarketWatch

People are right to seethe over the stranglehold film and TV franchises have on the industry.

From Salon

Everyone: For a decade, Nvida has maintained a stranglehold on AI chip sales.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grip
• monopoly