Choke Back for Dummies

Choke back is a phrase that we use to describe when someone is trying to hold back or suppress their emotions, especially when those emotions are strong or overwhelming. It's like when you're about to burst into tears, but you do your best to keep them from flowing. We often say that someone is choking back tears, but it doesn't have to be just tears, it can be any strong emotion like anger, frustration, or even laughter.

Imagine you're at a fancy dinner party and you accidentally spill your drink all over the tablecloth. Everyone around you starts laughing and you feel embarrassed. Instead of letting your embarrassment take over and cry or run away, you take a deep breath, put on a smile, and try your best to keep your composure. That's what it means to choke back your emotions.

Sometimes, we may need to choke back our words too. This means that we have something on our mind, like an opinion or a comment, but we choose not to say it out loud. It's like when you have a disagreement with a friend, and you really want to tell them how you feel, but you hold yourself back because you understand it may not be the right time or place, or you don't want to hurt their feelings.

So, when we say "choke back," it's about exercising control over our emotions and thoughts. It's like holding a balloon filled with air tightly in your hands, making sure it doesn't burst. It's a way of managing our reactions and behaving in a way that is appropriate or beneficial for ourselves and others.

Remember, it's okay to express our emotions, but sometimes we need to find the right time and place to do so. Learning how to choke back our emotions gives us the ability to handle challenging situations with grace and make wise decisions about when and how to express ourselves.