1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To say something with great difficulty because of strong emotion, usually while crying or overwhelmed.
""I'm so sorry," she choked out between sobs, unable to meet his eyes."
separable
choke out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To say something with great difficulty because of overwhelming emotion or physical distress, or to render someone unconscious by compressing their airway.
In plain English
To barely manage to say something when you're crying or so upset you can hardly speak, or to stop someone from breathing by squeezing their throat.
What does "choke out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To render someone unconscious or incapacitate them by restricting blood flow to the brain or blocking the airway.
"The wrestler choked out his opponent in the final round of the match."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To produce something outward while choking — semi-transparent.
Actually means
To barely manage to say something when you're crying or so upset you can hardly speak, or to stop someone from breathing by squeezing their throat.
Usage tip
The emotional/verbal sense ('choke out a few words') is common in narrative writing. The combat/self-defense sense (a chokehold rendering someone unconscious) is used in martial arts and news contexts. Both senses are B2 for ESL learners.
Words that pair with "choke out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
words apology reply goodbye name opponent
How to conjugate "choke out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
choke out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chokes out
he/she/it
Past simple
choked out
yesterday
Past participle
choked out
have + pp
-ing form
choking out
continuous
Hear "choke out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "choke out"
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