Choke sb up Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Choke sb up” Mean?

“Choke sb up” means to make someone feel very emotional, often to the point where they find it hard to speak or hold back tears.

Introduction

The phrase “choke sb up” is commonly used in English to describe a situation where someone becomes overwhelmed with emotion. This could be sadness, joy, or even nervousness. When you say something or see something that “chokes you up,” it affects you deeply and might cause your voice to break or tears to appear. Understanding the “choke sb up meaning” helps learners express emotional reactions more naturally in English. It is often used in everyday conversations, storytelling, and even in movies or books to show strong feelings.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: choke somebody up
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To cause someone to feel emotional or tearful

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Choke sb up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (somebody) between the verb “choke” and the particle “up.”

• Correct: She choked me up with her story.
• Also correct: She choked up me with her story. (less common and awkward)

However, the most natural structure is: choke + somebody + up.

Example pattern:
Subject + choke + somebody + up

How to Use “Choke sb up”?

Use “choke sb up” when you want to describe a situation or action that causes someone to feel deeply emotional. It often relates to feelings of sadness, nostalgia, or overwhelming happiness. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in spoken English.

It is often used with people as the object (sb = somebody), such as a friend, family member, or even yourself.

Examples

• Her touching speech really choked me up.
• The movie’s ending choked him up and he started to cry.
• That song always chokes her up because it reminds her of her childhood.
• He was so nervous during the wedding vows that it choked him up.
• Seeing the old photos choked me up with memories.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: The story choked me up tears.
  Correct: The story choked me up.
• Incorrect: She choked up me with sadness.
  Correct: She choked me up with sadness.
• Incorrect: Choke up him with your words.
  Correct: Choke him up with your words.

Differences / Synonyms

Choke sb up is similar to phrases like move sb, touch sb, or bring sb to tears. However, “choke sb up” specifically implies a physical reaction—like a lump in the throat or difficulty speaking—due to strong emotions.

Move sb: More general, can be emotional but not necessarily causing a voice break.
Touch sb: Usually means to affect emotionally but less intense.
Bring sb to tears: Directly means causing someone to cry, which is stronger than just “choke sb up.”

Common Collocations

• Choke somebody up with a story
• Choke somebody up by memories
• Choke somebody up because of sadness
• Choke somebody up during a speech
• Choke somebody up when watching a movie

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of choke sb up:

• Choke Sth Off
• Choke Sth Back

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: Did you watch the charity event last night?

Tom: Yes, I did! The speaker’s story really choked me up.

Anna: Me too. I couldn’t hold back my tears.

Tom: It’s amazing how words can affect us so deeply.

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form of “choke sb up”:

1. The farewell speech __________ everyone __________.
2. That sad story always __________ me __________.
3. She was so emotional that it __________ her __________.

Answers: 1) choked up, 2) chokes up, 3) choked up

FAQs

• Q: Is “choke sb up” formal or informal?
  It is mostly informal but can be used politely in conversations.
• Q: Can “choke sb up” be used for happiness?
  Yes, it can describe strong emotions like joy or nostalgia.
• Q: Can I use “choke up” without an object?
  Yes, but that means you are the one feeling emotional, e.g., “I choked up.”
• Q: What is the difference between “choke sb up” and “make sb cry”?
  “Choke sb up” is less direct and focuses on emotional reaction, not always tears.
• Q: Is “choke sb up” common in American English?
  Yes, it’s widely used in both American and British English.