chokehold

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.

British Dictionary definitions for choke-hold chokehold noun

1. the act of holding a person’s neck across the windpipe, esp from behind using one arm
2. complete power or controlthe chokehold the mob has had on the town

Word Origin and History for choke-hold n.

1962, from choke + hold (n.).