言こと葉ばを呑のむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

choke up; be speechless

Describes being so overwhelmed by emotion that one cannot speak; often used when someone is moved, shocked, or deeply affected.

• 感かん謝しゃの気き持もちで言こと葉ばを呑のんだ。

  I choked up with gratitude.

• 突とつ然ぜんの知しらせに、彼かの女じょは言こと葉ばを呑のんで立たち尽つくした。

  At the sudden news, she stood speechless, words failing her.

expression, godan verb (-mu)

hold one's tongue; bite one's tongue

Used when one deliberately refrains from saying something, often to avoid conflict or out of discretion.

• 彼かれは反はん論ろんしたい気き持もちを抑おさえて、言こと葉ばを呑のんだ。

  He held his tongue, suppressing the urge to argue.