Chokehold

Meaning

A controlling, restrictive grip that gives one party dominating leverage over another

Origin / Etymology

From choke (Old English aceocian, to suffocate) and hold; originally a wrestling grip, now used figuratively for dominating control

Synonyms

Stranglehold Grip Dominance Leverage

Antonyms

Freedom Release Diversification

Example Sentence

"China's control of around 85 to 90 per cent of rare-earth processing gives it a chokehold over supply chains essential to the global energy transition."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Vivid for GS2 and GS3 answers on strategic dependence and resource security. Use to describe one country's dominating leverage over a critical supply chain, chokepoint, or technology, for example a chokehold over critical minerals or energy transit routes.

Relevant Subjects