stranglehold

UK: /ˈstræŋg^əlhəʊld/

US: /ˈstræŋgəlˌhoʊld/

US: (strang′gəl hōld′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

stran•gle•hold /ˈstræŋgəlˌhoʊld/   n. [countable]

1. Sport an illegal wrestling hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.
2. any force that prevents action or development:
   a stranglehold on the economy.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

stran•gle•hold  (strang′gəl hōld′), n. 

1. Sport [Wrestling.] an illegal hold by which an opponent's breath is choked off.
2. any force or influence that restricts the free actions or development of a person or group:
   the stranglehold of superstition.

• strangle + hold¹ 1890–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stranglehold / ˈstræŋɡ^əlˌhəʊld/ noun

1. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler's arms are pressed against the opponent's windpipe
   See also Japanese stranglehold
2. complete power or control over a person or situation