chokehold

or choke hold

[ chohk-hohld ]

noun

1. a restraining hold in which one person encircles the neck of another in a viselike grip with the arm, usually approaching from behind:

   The suspect was put in a chokehold and was gasping for breath.

2. a stifling grip; stranglehold:

   a company that once had a chokehold over the PC market.

chokehold

/ ˈtʃəʊkˌhəʊld /

noun

1. the act of holding a person's neck across the windpipe, esp from behind using one arm
2. complete power or control

   the chokehold the mob has had on the town

Example Sentences

But she claimed that McGregor placed her in a chokehold on the hotel bed and choked her three times.

From BBC

As a boy born in the 1980s, I wasn’t taught to pay attention to the chokehold that the patriarchy has on women.

From Salon

He was there only for a moment before his alleged captors caught up to him, put him in a chokehold and punched him repeatedly in the face.

From Los Angeles Times

Oliver White, 27, was put in a chokehold as two men stole stock from 247 Kettles in Richmond on Saturday.

From BBC

The attorney said Sahota had used a “chokehold” that cut off Segura’s air supply and left him with no choice but to defend himself.

From Seattle Times