chokehold Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun complete power over a person or situation
    stranglehold; throttlehold.
    • corporations have a stranglehold on the media
    • the president applied a chokehold to labor disputes that inconvenienced the public
  2. noun a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind
    choke hold.
    • he grabbed the woman in a chokehold, demanded her cash and jewelry, and then fled

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