Phrase guide

choke down

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To swallow with difficulty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I was already stuffed, but I managed to choke down some more apple pie anyway. It was so good that I couldn't stop.
  • I didn't like her casserole because I don't care for cumin, but I managed to choke down a plateful anyway, because she meant well and I didn't have the heart to disappoint her.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

suppress

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He choked down his rage

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: choke off, choke back

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: suppress, stamp down, inhibit, subdue, conquer, curb

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: sufokiĝi — to swallow with difficulty
  • French: s’étouffer — to swallow with difficulty
  • German: herunterwürgen — to swallow with difficulty
  • German: runterwürgen — to swallow with difficulty
  • Spanish: asfixiarse — to swallow with difficulty
  • Spanish: atragantarse — to swallow with difficulty