throttle
/ˈθrɒt.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [θrˈɑtəl] /ˈθrɑː.t̬əl/ (ame, ipa) · [θrˈɑtəl] /ˈthrä-tᵊl How to pronounce throttle (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈθrɒtl/ (bre, ipa) · [θrˈɑtəl] /ˈθrɑːtl/ (ame, ipa)
throttle — noun
- throttlesingular
- throttlesplural
1. a part in an engine that controls how much fuel or air goes in, which changes th
a part in an engine that controls how much fuel or air goes in, which changes the engine's power
Christopher checked the throttle before restarting the small fishing boat's engine.
engine part: check the throttle before starting
During the repair, Eli cleaned the throttle so fuel could flow smoothly again.
maintenance context: clean a throttle
The old tractor lost power because dirt had blocked the throttle inside the engine.
A damaged throttle let too much fuel flood the generator during the test.
用法筆記
This sense names the valve inside the engine itself, not the pedal or handle that the driver moves. In Chinese, this engine part is usually called 節流閥.
常見錯誤
2. the pedal, handle, or twist grip that you move to make an engine give more or le
the pedal, handle, or twist grip that you move to make an engine give more or less power
Sirin twisted the throttle gently as the scooter moved into traffic.
collocation: twist the throttle
On the snowmobile, the throttle sat beside the brake on the right handle.
The instructor told Mert to ease off the throttle before the sharp turn.
A sticky throttle made the lawn mower speed up without warning.
- accelerator
standard term for the pedal in a car; throttle is broader and also covers hand controls
- gas pedal
informal American term for a car's accelerator pedal only
用法筆記
This is the control you touch with your hand or foot. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is the engine valve that this control operates.
常見錯誤
throttle — verb
- throttlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- throttleshe / she / it
- throttledpast simple
- throttling-ing form
1. to hold back an activity, plan, feeling, or kind of growth so it cannot continue
to hold back an activity, plan, feeling, or kind of growth so it cannot continue freely
New parking fees could throttle business at the night market this summer.
figurative use: throttle business or growth
The editor refused to throttle the debate after readers sent angry letters.
collocation: throttle debate or discussion
Fear of failure throttled Hana's plan to hand in the exchange form.
Strict import rules throttled the company's growth in its first year.
文法句型
throttle + object (growth / debate / attempt / feeling)
用法筆記
Common in business, policy, and formal writing. Typical objects are growth, debate, competition, demand, innovation, or a feeling that someone is trying to keep down.
常見錯誤
2. to reduce or control an engine's power by limiting the fuel or air that goes int
to reduce or control an engine's power by limiting the fuel or air that goes into it
The pilot throttled the engines during descent to keep the landing smooth.
engine control: throttle the engines during descent
Before entering the harbor, Andrés throttled the boat so it would not surge forward.
vehicle control: throttle the boat
The mechanic throttled the generator after the pressure gauge climbed too high.
To save fuel uphill, Yuna throttled the engine and kept the cart moving slowly.
- accelerate
to make a vehicle or machine go faster
- open up
informal; to let the engine give more power
文法句型
throttle + object (engine / motor / boat / generator)
用法筆記
Usually takes engine, motor, boat, or another machine as the object. Distinguish it from sense 1, where something abstract such as growth or debate is being held back.
常見錯誤
3. to squeeze someone's neck so hard that they cannot breathe, sometimes until they
to squeeze someone's neck so hard that they cannot breathe, sometimes until they die
The attacker throttled the guard from behind before anyone could shout for help.
violent action: throttle someone from behind
In the film, the villain tried to throttle his brother with both hands.
attempt pattern: try to throttle someone
Police said the man throttled the victim until she lost consciousness.
In Nellie's nightmare, a stranger was throttling her in a dark hallway.
文法句型
throttle + person
用法筆記
A strong and violent word, usually used in crime reports, fiction, or angry speech. The object is a person or animal, not an idea or a machine.