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engasgar

[eŋ.gaz.ˈgaɾ]
verb
to choke
1. to have difficulty swallowing or breathing due to something stuck in the throat
He started to choke on a piece of meat.
Ele começou a engasgar com um pedaço de carne.
2. to struggle to speak or voice something, often due to emotion or difficulty
She choked on her words when she tried to apologize.
Ela engasgou nas palavras quando tentou se desculpar.
3. to be offended or upset by something someone said
I almost choked when I heard that comment.
Quase me engasguei com aquele comentário.
Synonyms
sufocarasfixiarengolir em seco
Antonyms
respirardesobstruir

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
engasgar
standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
engasgar
commonly used in colloquial speech
Rio de Janeiro
engasgar
used in everyday conversation
Portugal
engasgar-se
reflexive form more common; may also use 'sufocar'

Related Idioms & Phrases

engasgar-se com as palavras (to choke on one's words; to struggle to speak)
engasgar de raiva (to choke with anger)
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