Phrase guide

lump in one's throat

noun · 1 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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1

noun

Meaning 1

Strong emotion, either happy or sad, causing someone to be on the verge of crying; a sensation of tightness in the throat associated herewith.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • After hearing his story I could hardly speak for the lump in my throat.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pala kurkussa — on the point of crying
  • French: nœud dans la gorge — on the point of crying
  • French: boule dans la gorge — on the point of crying
  • French: avoir la gorge nouée — on the point of crying
  • French: avoir la gorge serrée — on the point of crying
  • Italian: nodo in gola — on the point of crying
  • Korean: 목이 메이다 (mog-i meida) — on the point of crying
  • Persian: بغض (boġz) — on the point of crying
  • Polish: ścisk w gardle — on the point of crying
  • Russian: ком в го́рле (kom v górle) — on the point of crying