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

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

“Netflix’s stranglehold on the streaming market will become even tighter, as there is now a lack of merger and acquisition options that will be able to challenge their leadership position,” Conca wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

He provided one moment of danger in the first half when he forced Giorgi Mamardashvili to save with his legs, but was otherwise anonymous as Real failed to establish any sort of stranglehold.

From BBC

Related Words

• grip
• monopoly