choked by emotion

So overwhelmed with an emotion, either positive or negative, as to be unable to speak clearly or at all. She was choked by emotion when she stepped up to speak at her mother's funeral.

See also: by, choke, emotion

References in classic literature ?

"My lord," said Charles, in a voice choked by emotion, "you are, for me, what an angel sent from heaven would be, -- you are a preserver sent to me from the tomb of my father himself; but, believe me, for ten years' civil war has passed over my country, striking down men, tearing up the soil, it is no more probable that gold should remain in the entrails of the earth, than love in the hearts of my subjects."

View in context

Briggs was so much choked by emotion that she could hardly take a morsel of meat.

View in context

"Obviously moved by the enthusiastic ovation and somewhat choked by emotion, Broderick predicted that the week's events had caused the PVA to 'turn a corner as an organization, working together.' There's a great American tradition, he said, in standing up for what you believe is right.

Don Broderick dies

And in the lessons read, words were choked by emotion.

God does not give us the reason why these tragedies happen - MONSIGNOR MURRAY YESTERDAY; TEARS AS TSUNAMI VICTIM BURIED