choke hold

(noun) a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind. Synonyms: chokehold, choke hold. Example: "He grabbed the woman in a chokehold, demanded her cash and jewelry, and then fled."

(noun) complete power over a person or situation. Synonyms: stranglehold, chokehold, throttlehold. Examples: "Corporations have a stranglehold on the media." "The president applied a chokehold to labor disputes that inconvenienced the public."