half nelson

noun

, Wrestling.

1. a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck.

half-nelson

noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler places an arm under one of his opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with his palm on the back of his opponent's neck Compare full nelson

Word History and Origins

Origin of half nelson¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

To teach his son the “half nelson” move, the coach had a young Szkotnicki demonstrate it on him.

From Washington Post

Police were called to a home on May 29 and found Strong’s 39-year-old roommate holding him down with a wrestling move called a “half nelson.”

From Washington Times

Arriving officers reported entering a bedroom with a damaged door and finding a 39-year-old man holding Calvin Strong, 42, face down in what the younger man called a half nelson.

From Washington Times

All he needed to do was shift his weight and sink the half nelson.

From Literature

“Yeah,” said Harry, twisting Kreacher’s wizened arm into a half nelson.

From Literature