choke back

“There are so many people that have come up to me and said, ‘I’m a writer because of you,’ ” he said, choking back tears.

As congregants shared what they lost after a recent service, they choked back tears and pledged to persevere.

Barrett’s voice was tightly coiled, as though he was choking back the indignation roiling inside him.

A South L.A. woman choking back tears said she had been living in her car for 18 months with her family and dog because she had no money.

“It’s the least I can do for them letting me stay with them and get better,” Coburn said, choking back tears.