get a lump in (one's) throat

To have an intense emotional reaction resulting in a sensation of tightness in the throat, as often precedes crying. Though I was excited for my daughter to start her college experience, I still got a lump in my throat saying goodbye to her at the airport. Youssef still gets a lump in his throat when he thinks about his late father. I always get a lump in my throat when I watch their last scenes together before his death.