chokes up
Voice catches suddenly
Chokes up describes becoming too emotional to speak clearly, as when tears tighten the throat: He choked up during his father's eulogy.
The phrase also applies to gripping a bat or club higher on the handle for better control: She choked up on the bat to make contact.
In machinery, to choke up is to become clogged or obstructed.
- throatNeck's inner passage
- lump in throatTight feeling when emotional
- speechlessUnable to talk
- lost for wordsUnable to express oneself
- teary-eyedEyes welling up
wells up · quivering · overwhelmed · moved · touched · breaks down · trembling · sentimental · tongue-tied · stammering · flushed · nostalgic · wistful · breathless · faltering · tearful · pausing · sobbing