# bring a lump to someone's throat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bring-a-lump-to-someones-throat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To engender a strong emotional reaction.

## Examples

- The sad movie brought a lump to my throat.
- Hearing the old man talk about his late wife brought a lump to everyone's throat.
- The soldier's unexpected return home brought a lump to his mother's throat as she watched him walk through the door.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.