Make Your Point > Archived Issues > THROTTLEHOLD

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explore the archives: When you read about a nation's throttlehold on some natural resource, or a company's throttlehold on a market, you might picture Homer Simpson throttling Bart. That's the general image that throttlehold evokes. But when you prefer to evoke instead an image of oxen tied together--also a valid symbol of rigid, oppressive control--you can pick y___. make your point with... "THROTTLEHOLD" "Throttle" is another word for "throat." To throttle people is to hold them by the throat: to choke them, or, figuratively, to keep them under rigid control.  So, a throttlehold is a cruel or overly tight control of someone or something. Pronunciation: THROT ull hold Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one throttlehold or multiple throttleholds.) Other forms: None, but note that some writers prefer a hyphen ("throttle-hold") and others use a space ("throttle hold"). Wait, is this word legit?: Not all dictionaries recognize "throttlehold" as a word. But I do recommend using it anyway, for three reasons: many dictionaries do recognize it, it's actively in use in many newspapers, and it's easily understood. If you need a synonym recognized by the OED, pick "strangle-hold" (but not "chokehold"). How to use it: Talk about one person or group having a throttlehold on someone or something else. (Less commonly, you can have a throttlehold of or over someone or something.) You can also discuss someone who keeps or retains a throttlehold, releases a throttlehold, fights a throttlehold, escapes from a throttlehold, and so on. examples: The school dress code is there to keep everybody decent-looking and focused on schoolwork; honestly, it's not there to grip your sense of individuality in a throttlehold. Out of necessity, the lender maintains a throttlehold on that cash--you'll have to submit all kinds of forms and your firstborn just to be considered.  study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "throttlehold" means when you can explain it without saying "really tight control" or "rigid command." try it out: Think of a company or nation that has control of a market or resource. Or, think of a person who keeps really tight control of something. Fill in the blanks: "I doubt _____ will be releasing (his/her/its) throttlehold on _____ any time soon." Example: "I doubt Netflix will be releasing its throttlehold on Internet TV any time soon. They're so good at what they do." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A panel that's see-through on one side and a mirror on the other side is a… 2. Poetry that doesn't have any particular structure or rhyme scheme is… 3. An extreme, irrational fear of something is called a… review today's word: 1. The opposite of THROTTLEHOLD is A. STRANGLE-HOLD B. MODERATION C. FREEDOM 2. In 19th century lumber camps, companies kept a throttlehold over their employees' earnings, _____. A. issuing paychecks as much as three days late B. paying them in scrip redeemable only in company-owned stores C. encouraging them with discounts to purchase company-made products Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B Answers to game questions: 1. one-way mirror or two-way mirror 2. free verse 3. phobia