To have difficulty breathing because something is blocking the airway; also to fail or perform badly under pressure.
From Old English 'aceocian,' possibly related to 'cheek' or describing something stuck in the throat. The metaphorical sense of failing under pressure developed by the early 1900s in sports and performance contexts.
The double meaning of 'choke'—choking literally and choking under pressure—reflects something deep about sports psychology where the physical tightness in your chest when nervous actually does restrict breathing and performance!
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