choke up
phrasal verb
choked up; choking up; chokes up
1
: to have trouble talking because of crying or strong emotion
He chokes up whenever he tries to talk about the accident.
2
baseball
: to move one's hands to a higher position on a baseball bat
—often + on
He choked up on the bat and took a short swing.
Examples of choke up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mutlu became choked up several times while answering several questions.
—
Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
No one familiar with these water signs would be surprised to hear how Ford got choked up while giving a sentimental speech at the D23 Expo in September 2020.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
At a news conference later Thursday, an emotional Pritzker choked up while again extending his sympathies.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Roaldi choked up when recalling that fun night.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choke up
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Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
No one familiar with these water signs would be surprised to hear how Ford got choked up while giving a sentimental speech at the D23 Expo in September 2020.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
At a news conference later Thursday, an emotional Pritzker choked up while again extending his sympathies.
—Kate Reilly, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Roaldi choked up when recalling that fun night.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choke up
Cite this Entry
“Choke up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choke%20up. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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