# lump in one's throat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lump-in-ones-throat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Strong emotion, either happy or sad, causing someone to be on the verge of crying; a sensation of tightness in the throat associated with this.

## Examples

- I had a lump in my throat during the sad movie.
- As she watched her daughter walk across the stage to receive her diploma, she felt a lump in her throat.
- The unexpected kindness of the stranger left him with a lump in his throat, making it difficult to find the words to thank her.

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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.