To become emotional to the point where speaking becomes difficult; to be overcome with feeling that interferes with one's ability to talk normally.
This phrase from the early 20th century uses 'choked' in the sense of being obstructed or blocked, similar to choking on food. The expression captures how strong emotions can literally interfere with speech production, making the voice sound strained or blocked.
The genius of this phrase is how it transforms an involuntary physical response into a socially acceptable way to acknowledge overwhelming emotion. Saying someone is 'choked up' allows us to recognize their emotional state while giving them permission to struggle with words - it's both descriptive and compassionate.
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