throat

throat — noun

1. the tube and surrounding area in the neck that carries food from the mouth towar

1.nounA2
Definition

the tube and surrounding area in the neck that carries food from the mouth toward the stomach and air from the mouth toward the lungs

Example

A crust of bread stuck in Wren's throat, and she reached for water.

collocation: stuck in [one's] throat

The doctor asked Hiro to open his mouth wide so she could examine his throat.

collocation: examine [one's] throat

Common collocations
  • sore throat
  • stuck in one's throat
  • lump in one's throat
  • clear one's throat
  • dry throat
  • scratchy throat
Synonyms
  • neck

    refers to the whole external area between the head and shoulders, not the internal passage

  • pharynx

    the medical term for the internal cavity; very formal, not used in everyday conversation

Usage Note

Sore throat is a fixed phrase for pain or irritation in this part of the body. Clear your throat (a small cough to prepare to speak) is a common idiom; it does not mean 'make it completely clean.'

Common Mistakes

I have pain in throat.
I have a sore throat.
'throat' needs a determiner (a, my, the) in everyday speech.

2. a narrow opening or passage that is shaped like or acts like a throat, such as t

2.nounB2
Definition

a narrow opening or passage that is shaped like or acts like a throat, such as the top part of a bottle, the entrance of a cave, or the narrowed section of a pipe

Example

The bottle's narrow throat made it hard to pour the oil out slowly.

collocation: narrow throat (of a bottle)

Water poured through the throat of the cave and disappeared into the darkness below.

collocation: throat of a cave

Common collocations
  • bottle throat
  • throat of the cave
  • narrow throat
  • wide throat
Synonyms
  • neck

    more common for bottles (bottle neck); 'throat' is rarer and more technical

  • mouth

    used for the opening of caves, containers; 'mouth' emphasises the entrance, 'throat' emphasises the passage beyond

Usage Note

This sense appears most often in technical or descriptive writing about bottles, chimneys, tunnels, funnels, and other objects with a narrowed entrance or passage.

Idioms

at each other's throats

idiom

to be arguing or fighting with each other in a very angry or aggressive way

The two managers have been at each other's throats ever since the budget cuts were announced.

clear one's throat

idiom

to make a small cough or short sound in your throat, usually before speaking or to get someone's attention

Ayesha cleared her throat before answering the difficult question from the audience.

jump down someone's throat

idiom

to react with sudden anger or criticism toward someone who has just spoken

I only asked when the report would be ready, and Lisa jumped down my throat.

have a lump in one's throat

idiom

to feel pressure or tightness in the throat because of strong emotion such as sadness, gratitude, or pride

Cole had a lump in his throat when he saw his grandmother at the airport after three years.

be at each other’s throats

idiom

Two or more people are fighting or arguing very angrily with each other.

The two politicians were at each other's throats during the debate.

Why are you two always at each other's throats over small things?

clear your throat

idiom

To cough gently to make your voice ready for speaking.

Maya cleared her throat before starting her speech.

He cleared his throat and began to read the poem.

cut your own throat

idiom

To do something that will harm yourself, especially because of anger or pride.

By quitting his job without notice, he cut his own throat.

If you lie to the boss, you're cutting your own throat.

have, etc. a frog in your throat

idiom

To have difficulty speaking clearly because your throat is dry or has mucus.

Sara had a frog in her throat and couldn't finish the song.

Do you have a frog in your throat? Drink some water.

have, etc. a lump in your throat

idiom

To feel a tightness in your throat because you are very sad or emotional.

Diego had a lump in his throat as he said goodbye.

When she saw the gift, she felt a lump in her throat.

jump down somebody’s throat

idiom

To suddenly speak very angrily to someone.

I only asked a question, but she jumped down my throat.

Don't jump down his throat; he didn't mean any harm.

stick in your throat/craw

idiom

To be difficult or impossible to say because of emotion or reluctance.

The apology stuck in his throat, but he finally said it.

Her name stuck in my throat when I tried to introduce her.

throat — verb

Word family

  • throaty
    adjectiveB2
  • throatily
    adverbC1
  • throated
    adjectiveC2
  • throating
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Throat refers broadly to both the front part of the neck and the internal passage for food and air — it is the everyday word. Neck is the external body part only (the area between the head and shoulders), not the tube inside. Pharynx is the medical term for the internal cavity behind the nose and mouth where the passages for air and food cross; it is too formal for daily conversation. Gullet is an informal, slightly old-fashioned word for the tube that carries food to the stomach (the esophagus). Windpipe (trachea) carries only air, not food, and leads to the lungs. For example: you say 'I have a sore throat' (not 'I have a sore pharynx'); you wrap a scarf around your neck (not your throat); food goes down the gullet; air goes down the windpipe.

throat ↗neck ↗pharynxgulletwindpipe

Common collocations

Phrases

  • by the throat
  • from the throat

Prepositions

  • in the throat
  • down the throat
  • at the throat of

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'þrote' (throat), which traces back to a Proto-Germanic root '*þrutōn'. It is related to Old High German 'drozza' (throat, gullet) and Dutch 'strot' (throat). The verb senses — meaning 'to mutter in the throat' and 'to produce a throaty sound' — developed in the early modern English period, though they have always been much rarer than the noun.