“choke back”是一个及物动词短语,核心含义是“抑制;强忍住(强烈的情感或反应)”,强调通过努力不让情绪(如眼泪、愤怒、笑声等)直接流露出来。
“choke back”字面直译是“噎回去”,引申为“把即将爆发的情感强行压下去”,突出“情绪强烈到几乎难以控制,但最终成功克制”的状态。
1、 主语:通常是人(只有“人”能主动抑制情感);
2、 宾语:必须接表示情感或反应的名词(如眼泪、愤怒、笑声、抽泣等);
3、 结构:主语 + choke back + 情感名词(+ 状语/从句)。
以下是最常用的搭配及场景示例:
搭配 | 例句 | |
---|---|---|
choke back tears | She choked back tears as she said goodbye to her childhood home. | (告别童年故居时,她强忍住眼泪。) |
choke back anger | He had to choke back his anger when his colleague took credit for his work. | (同事抢了他的功劳时,他不得不抑制住愤怒。) |
choke back laughter | I almost choked back a laugh when I saw his mismatched socks. | (看到他穿错袜子时,我差点忍不住笑出声。) |
choke back sobs | The mother choked back sobs while holding her sick baby. | (抱着生病的宝宝,母亲强忍住抽泣。) |
choke back disappointment | He choked back his disappointment when he failed the exam. | (考试不及格时,他抑制住了失望。) |
“choke back”与以下短语近义,但侧重点不同:
hold back:更通用,可指抑制情感、行动、言语等(如“hold back your criticism” 忍住批评);
suppress:更正式,强调“有意识地压制”(如“suppress one’s fear” 压制恐惧);
restrain:侧重“约束行为或情绪”(如“restrain one’s temper” 克制脾气)。
相比之下,“choke back”更强调“情绪强烈到‘差点涌出来’,需要用力‘咽回去’”的瞬间感。
不能接从句或形容词,需接名词(如不说“choke back sad”,要说“choke back sadness”);
无被动语态(情感是“人主动抑制”的,不是“被抑制”)。
总结:“choke back”是描述“强忍情绪”的生动表达,适合场景中需要突出“情绪爆发的临界点”时使用。