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- lump in (one's) throat
lump in (one's) throat
lump in (one's) throat
A feeling that one is unable to speak due to sadness, anxiety, or another strong emotion. I had a lump in my throat as I watched the casket of the fallen soldier return home. When Bob stood up to thank everyone at his retirement party, he got a lump in his throat and just had to nod and smile as he teared up.