clearing throat
Audible attention signal
Clearing throat is the act of coughing or making a rough sound to remove mucus or irritation from the throat.
More often, it serves as a social signal—announcing one's presence, preparing to speak, or expressing polite disapproval: She cleared her throat loudly to get their attention.
A deliberate ahem is throat-clearing as communication rather than physical necessity.
- ahemAttention-getting interjection
- excuse meApology for minor intrusion
- coughExplosive airway clearing
- raspCoarse shaping tool
- phlegmViscous airway secretion
hack · tickle · hoarse · scratchy · vocal cords · mucus · gulp · nervous · nervous habit · stage fright · public speaking · speech · podium · microphone · hesitation · awkward · attention · interruption
- expressionexpress, convey, communicate, verbal, nonverbal
- speech habitsmumbling, stuttering, stammering, rambling, interrupting
- intermittent actionsblinking, sneezing, coughing, yawning, hiccuping
- soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- awkward momentsoops, cringe, embarrassment, yikes, awkward