throat
(noun)
LISTEN
The throat is the top of the passage from the mouth to the stomach and lungs.
- Anne had a sore throat and stayed home from work.
- The lemonade felt cold as it went down my throat.
- Jane cleared her throat before answering the question.
The throat is also the front of the neck between the chin and the collarbone.
- Ken saw wrinkles forming on his throat.
- When Andrew strokes his cat's throat, it purrs.
Common uses
a frog in your throat: a problem speaking because of coughing or soreness. Example: “Melissa can’t give her speech today because she has a frog in her throat.”
jump down someone’s throat: to disagree with someone rapidly and furiously. Example: “When I explained why I was late, my teacher jumped down my throat, accusing me of lying.”
Did you know?
The Washington Post newspaper found out about the Watergate break-in that caused President Nixon to resign through an informant who was known as Deep Throat. He got that name because he provided deep background information. In addition, a popular porn film of that era was called Deep Throat.
In pop culture
When two people are at each other’s throat, that means that they are viciously fighting. In the song “Each Other’s Throat” Stevie Wonder is observing that people these days seem to be fighting too much.
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