Choke down Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Unpleasant Task Use 'choke down' when a task like eating something unappetizing must be done. Despite hating broccoli, he choked it down for his health. Pro Tip 2/3Difficulty Swallowing 'Choke down' implies difficulty swallowing due to taste or texture. The porridge was so lumpy, she could barely choke it down. Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Use 'Choke down' can be used figuratively to mean accepting something hard to digest, like a fact. He had to choke down the reality of his defeat.