throttle
gb/θɹˈɑtəl/ us/θɹˈɑtəl/
B2
English
korlátoz, visszafog, gázkar, fojtószelep, gázpedál, megfojt, fojtogat
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] throttles [something]
Some providers throttle video streaming during peak hours.
Egyes szolgáltatók csúcsidőben korlátozzák a videóstreamelést.
The app throttles background downloads to save battery life.
Az alkalmazás az akkumulátor kímélése érdekében visszafogja a háttérben futó letöltéseket.
The company throttled production after demand fell sharply.
Learner examples
The system throttled my connection.
A rendszer korlátozta az internetkapcsolatomat.
The website throttles large uploads.
A weboldal korlátozza a nagy fájlok feltöltését.
Common mistake:
Do not use this meaning to mean simply “go faster”; by itself, throttle usually means limit or reduce, unless used in phrases like “throttle up” or “open the throttle.”
Meaning
limit speed or flow
Collocations
throttle traffic
|throttle bandwidth
|throttle internet speed
|throttle downloads
|throttle performance
|throttle production
|throttle demand
|throttle the flow
|throttle access
|throttle spending
Synonyms
limit (more general and less technical)
|
restrict (emphasizes placing a control or boundary on something)
|
slow (simpler word focused on reduced speed)
Antonyms
accelerate (make something happen faster)
|
boost (increase power, speed, or performance)
|
uncap (remove a limit, especially on speed or usage)
Themes
technology
|business
|machines
|internet
|transport
Definition
to make something slower or limit how much of it can happen
To deliberately reduce or limit the speed, power, rate, or flow of something, especially a service, machine, process, or internet connection.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the throttle; a throttle; [someone] opens/closes/pushes the throttle
He pushed the throttle forward, and the boat picked up speed.
Előretolta a gázkart, és a csónak felgyorsult.
The mechanic found a problem with the throttle cable.
A szerelő hibát talált a gázbowdennel.
The pilot kept one hand near the throttle during landing.
Learner examples
The throttle was stuck.
A gázkar beragadt.
She moved the throttle slowly.
Lassan mozgatta a gázkart.
Common mistake:
A throttle is not the same as a brake. Opening or pushing the throttle usually gives the engine more power; using the brake slows or stops the vehicle.
Meaning
engine power control
Collocations
open the throttle
|close the throttle
|push the throttle
|pull back the throttle
|throttle lever
|throttle pedal
|throttle cable
|stuck throttle
|wide-open throttle
|engine throttle
Synonyms
accelerator (common for the pedal in a car; less general than throttle)
|
gas pedal (informal American term for a car’s accelerator pedal)
|
control lever (more general and not necessarily for engine power)
Antonyms
brake (a vehicle control used to slow or stop rather than increase engine power)
Themes
transport
|machines
|aviation
|vehicles
Definition
a part of a vehicle or machine that controls how much power the engine gives
A control, such as a lever, pedal, or valve, that regulates an engine’s power by controlling the flow of fuel, air, or steam.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] throttles [someone]
The attacker tried to throttle him before he managed to escape.
A támadó megpróbálta megfojtani, mielőtt sikerült elmenekülnie.
In the novel, the victim had been throttled in a dark alley.
A regényben az áldozatot egy sötét sikátorban fojtották meg.
If that printer jams one more time, I swear I’ll throttle it.
Learner examples
He tried to throttle the guard.
Megpróbálta megfojtani az őrt.
She was so angry she said she could throttle him.
Annyira dühös volt, hogy azt mondta, legszívesebben megfojtaná.
Common mistake:
This is a violent meaning when literal. In casual speech, “I could throttle him” is usually an exaggerated expression of anger, not a real threat.
Meaning
strangle by the throat
Collocations
try to throttle someone
|throttle someone with bare hands
|throttle a victim
|almost throttle someone
|want to throttle someone
Synonyms
strangle (the most direct synonym; often suggests killing by cutting off air)
|
choke (can mean block breathing accidentally or by force)
|
garrote (more specific and much more technical or crime-related)
Antonyms
release (stop holding or squeezing someone)
|
free (let someone escape from being held)
Themes
violence
|crime
|emotions
Definition
to choke someone by squeezing their neck
To attack or kill someone by squeezing their throat so that they cannot breathe; also used informally as an exaggerated way to say that someone is very angry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
throttle
IPA
GB/θɹˈɑtəl/
US/θɹˈɑtəl/
Syllables & stress
throttle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (throttle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: throttle
- Plural: throttles
Verb
- Base: throttle
- 3rd Person Singular: throttles
- Present Participle: throttling
- Past: throttled
Expressions
full throttle
1/fˈʊl θɹˈɑtəl/
fixed phrase
maximum speed or effort
as fast or as hard as possible
Examples
- The campaign is running at full throttle before election day.
- Once the road cleared, the motorcycle shot forward full throttle.
- She brought full-throttle energy to the new project.
Learner examples
- The engine ran at full throttle.
- The team worked full throttle all week.
open the throttle
1/ˈoʊpən ðə θɹˈɑtəl/
fixed phrase
increase engine power
to make an engine go faster or give more power
Examples
- On the straight stretch, he opened the throttle and pulled away.
- The captain opened the throttle as the boat left the harbor.
- The engine operator opened the throttle slowly during the test.
Learner examples
- She opened the throttle, and the boat moved faster.
- He opened the throttle on the motorcycle.
take one's foot off the throttle
1/tˈeɪk wˈʌnz fˈʊt ˈɔf ðə θɹˈɑtəl/
idiom
informal
ease effort or pressure
to stop trying so hard or moving so fast
Examples
- Don’t take your foot off the throttle now; the deadline is Friday.
- With a big lead, the team took its foot off the throttle in the second half.
- The company cannot afford to take its foot off the throttle while competitors are growing.
Learner examples
- We can’t take our foot off the throttle yet.
- She took her foot off the throttle after the exam.
throttle back
1/θɹˈɑtəl bˈæk/
phrasal verb
reduce power or activity
to slow down or do less
Examples
- The pilot throttled back as the plane began its descent.
- After two years of rapid hiring, the company is throttling back.
- We need to throttle back on expenses this quarter.
Learner examples
- The driver throttled back near the turn.
- We throttled back on travel costs.
throttle up
1/θɹˈɑtəl ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
increase engine power
to make an engine or activity more powerful or faster
Examples
- The crew throttled up the engines for takeoff.
- The rocket throttled up to full power.
- The team throttled up its marketing campaign before the product launch.
Learner examples
- The pilot throttled up before takeoff.
- The boat throttled up in open water.