lump in the throat

lump in the throat

A feeling that one is unable to speak due to sadness, anxiety, or another strong emotion. I had a lump in the throat as I watched the casket of the fallen soldier return home. When Bob stood up to thank everyone at his retirement party, he got a lump in the throat, only able to nod and smile as he began tearing up.
See also: lump, throat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a lump in the throat

a feeling of tightness or dryness in the throat caused by strong emotion, especially grief.
See also: lump, throat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in classic literature ?
He cleared the hilt of his cutlass and loosened the blade in the sheath; and all the time we were waiting there he kept swallowing as if he felt what we used to call a lump in the throat.
View in context
Under normal circumstances we don't notice it, but if we're anxious, depressed or stressed out we become obsessed with the sensation of a lump in the throat.
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A 'LUMP in the throat' had a more sinister meaning for Becky Saxon when she discovered she had cancer.
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'Watching her say her Rainbow promise was another one of those lump in the throat moments that just don't seem to stop coming'
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If the opening edition of this drama caused a lump in the throat, you'll no doubt be weeping uncontrollably at its conclusion.
Today's: drama; Tsunami, the Aftermath (BBC2, 9pm)
And there may be times when we can put a lump in the throat, causing our growers to pause and to put into perspective the things that really do matter.
Farming the farm program: issues facing producers and farm broadcasters. (Farm Broadcast Update)
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