chokehold

1. (martial arts, wrestling) A grappling hold around a person's neck, especially one in which the neck is grasped tightly from behind with an arm, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain and restricting breathing.Examples: "He put his opponent in a chokehold."; "Within five to ten seconds, one officer began to apply a choke hold by pressing his forearm into [Adolph] Lyons' throat. As Lyons was struggling for air, the officer handcuffed him and continued to apply the choke hold until Lyons blacked out. He was almost choked to death. […] Between 1975 and 1982, sixteen people died from the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department]'s use of choke holds."; "In competition, judo matches typically have a standing phase (opponents attempt to throw each other) and a ground phase (once an opponent is on the ground, then both opponents can use a hold down, literally holding an opponent down for 15 to 25 seconds, or using a choke hold or similar controlling technique to force an opponent to submit)."Synonyms: neckhold

2. (figurative) A powerful and restrictive control or influence over something.Examples: "One country has a chokehold on another country's economy."; "With the music industry releasing their chokehold on these television talent shows, it too is looking to other sources like social media – [Rob] Wade calls TikTok "one giant talent show" – to find new talent rather than primetime TV."; "Fellow fashionistas know the hype of GAP athleisure wear. The nostalgic look mixed with its soft design have the girlies in a chokehold!"Synonyms: stranglehold, throttleholdfiguratively