choke
Definition
To have difficulty breathing due to an obstructed or restricted airway.
A failure to perform or succeed under pressure, often attributed to nervousness.
A mechanism in an internal combustion engine that restricts the air supply to the carburetor to help the engine start when cold.
To suppress or curb a strong emotion, such as a sob or a laugh.
Examples
He looked like he was about to choke on his own ego when the interns started correcting his spreadsheet formulas.
If you choke during the final round of the karaoke competition, just pretend that high-pitched yelp was an artistic choice.
The engine continued to choke every morning as if it were performing a dramatic reenactment of a Victorian tragedy.
I tried to choke back my laughter while my boss explained for the third time that he invented the internet.