choke down
Eat with difficulty
To choke down food or drink is to swallow it with difficulty, usually because it's unappetizing or you're not hungry: I managed to choke down a few bites of the rubbery chicken.
The phrase suggests forcing something past resistance in the throat.
It extends to non-physical contexts—accepting something unpleasant: He choked down his pride and apologized.
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- hold backPrevent forward movement
- subdueBring under control
- swallowSend down the throat
- bite backRespond defensively to attack
inhibit · stifle · curb · gulp · gag · hard to swallow · endure · tolerate · grin and bear it · accept · bear · force · consume · stomach · conquer · ingurgitate · digest · resist