choke back
To try to keep from expelling something, such as words or tears. A noun or pronoun can be used between "choke" and "back." I choked back a question about her boyfriend as soon as I remembered that they had broken up. I didn't feel sick until after the ceremony had started, so I had to choke back vomit the entire time.
choke something back
to fight hard to keep something from coming out of one's mouth, such as sobs, tears, angry words, vomit, etc. I tried to choke the unpleasant words back, but I could not. She choked back her grief, but it came forth nonetheless. I could hardly choke my tears back.
choke back
Suppress, as in He choked back his tears. [Late 1800s]
choke back
v. To suppress or hold something back, especially with great effort: I choked back tears as I told my family the sad news.