throttle

Everyday

1. A throttle is the control in a car, motorbike, boat or plane that changes how much fuel or power goes to the engine, so it goes faster or slower. tree →
2. To throttle someone is to squeeze their throat so they cannot breathe; this is very dangerous and a serious crime. tree →
3. (humour) «I could throttle him!» means you are very cross, not that you would really do it. tree →
4. To throttle something is to slow it or limit it, like an internet company throttling a connection speed. tree →

In the lessons

In science and technology, the throttle controls engine power; pilots and drivers «open the throttle» to speed up and «go full throttle». In everyday chat, «full throttle» means doing something with all your energy. Safety: never put hands or anything around anyone's neck, even as a game. Phrases: «full throttle», «open the throttle», «throttle back».

Examples

• The pilot opened the throttle and the plane sped down the runway. tree →
• We cycled full throttle down the hill. tree →
• Twist the throttle to make the motorbike go. tree →
• My phone's internet was throttled after I used all my data. tree →
• «I could throttle my brother for reading my diary!» Mum laughed. tree →
• Never squeeze someone's neck — it can throttle them. tree →

Note

Regular verb: throttled, throttling. The joking «I could throttle you» is an idiom for being annoyed; the real act is violence.