扼襟控咽

èjīnkòngyān
to secure a stranglehold (idiom); fig. to hold a strategic pass

CEDICT

Entry Composition

=1 扼 è
  1. to grip forcefully
  2. to clutch at
  3. to guard
  4. to control
  5. to hold
=1 扼 è variant of 扼 è
2 襟 jīn
  1. lapel
  2. overlap of Chinese gown
  3. fig. bosom (the seat of emotions)
  4. to cherish (ambition, desires, honorable intentions etc) in one's bosom
3 控 kòng
  1. to control
  2. to accuse
  3. to charge
  4. to sue
  5. to invert a container to empty it
  6. (suffix) (slang) buff
  7. enthusiast
  8. devotee
  9. -phile or -philia
4 咽 yān
  1. throat; pharynx
  2. narrow pass