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to throttle

to throttle

3 7.2
To reduce the flow of fuel or air to an engine to lower its power
  • verb
  • /ˈθrɑːtəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reducir la potencia del motor
  • Murphy slowly throttles up, moving the boat forward.

So the instructor will roll the throttle off on you.

Examples

  • Grayden throttles back as he enters the gut.

    Academic text (1994)
  • As he came over a gentle rise and throttled down a little, he saw a small town about two miles ahead, buildings clustered along a highway.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Switch on, throttle on, give it a couple of primes.

  • I have throttled down to dead slow, as we are only a few hundred miles from our destination.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • And whenever you're ready, lift, throttle, throttle, throttle.

  • Jim throttles down the ski-boat engine.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Greer throttles back and the boat slows.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Greer throttles down all the way and they drift as the shadow looms bigger before them in the light from the boat.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • McCaleb throttles back as he nears the buoy.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Kevin throttles the engine to reduce speed as they approach the dock.

Synonyms

to choke
vsto throttle
  • Specialized
33 5.3

To reduce the flow of air into an engine to help it start

controls air or fuel flow to lower engine power or speed
to idle
vsto throttle
  • Specialized
2 5.3

To run at low speed while not moving

is a deliberate adjustment to reduce flow and lower engine speed

Compounds

12 5.8

A state of moving at the highest speed and with the most effort

hand throttle
  • Specialized
7.2

A lever you move by hand to control an engine's power

throttle valve
  • Specialized
6.3

A part that controls how much air and fuel go into an engine to change its speed or power

How Restricted

to shut off
83 2.6
to choke
  • Specialized
33 5.3
to throttle
  • Specialized
3 7.2
to limit
2.1

Surface Forms

throttle infinitive
throttled past
throttled past participle
throttling present participle
throttles third person singular

Etymology

Throttle comes from an old word for throat and the idea of 'choking' the air or fuel. So to throttle an engine is to reduce its flow by closing the 'throat', which lowers the power.