A feeling of tightness or constriction in the throat caused by strong emotion, especially sadness or the urge to cry.
This phrase from the 19th century describes the actual physical sensation that occurs when strong emotions trigger the muscles around the throat to tighten. The 'lump' metaphor captures the feeling of something solid blocking the throat, reflecting the body's preparation for crying or emotional expression.
This phrase describes a genuine physiological response called 'globus sensation' - when we're emotionally overwhelmed, our throat muscles actually do contract, creating the feeling of a physical obstruction. The metaphor is so accurate that medical professionals sometimes use this exact phrase when discussing the symptom with patients.
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