choked off
Stopped mid-flow
To choke off is to stop or suppress something by cutting off its source or means of continuation.
You might choke off funding to end a program, or choke off debate to prevent further discussion: The new regulations choked off investment in the sector.
The image is of strangling something at its origin rather than attacking it directly.
- clampedSecured by compression
- jammedUnable to move freely
- strangleConstrict the throat
- quelledForcibly ended unrest
- blockedPassage prevented or impeded
nipped in the bud · throttle · clogged · curtailed · cut short · stifled · terminated · suffocate · shut down · stanched · restricted · constricted · squeezed out · obstructed · halted · repressed · bottled up · disrupted
suppression versus encouragement
choked offencouraged
Gave support and confidence
nurtured · fostered · promoted · stimulated · cultivated