Wrestling:
* The wrestler caught his opponent in a half Nelson and pinned him to the mat.
* She struggled against his half Nelson, but he was too strong.
Figurative:
* The detective had the suspect in a half Nelson with his questions, cornering him with the evidence.
* The journalist's article put the politician in a half Nelson, exposing a hidden scandal.
Informal:
* I got the kids in a half Nelson by promising them ice cream after dinner.
* My boss had me in a half Nelson with that deadline, but I managed to pull it off.
Note: The phrase "half Nelson" is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is trapped or controlled, even if not literally physically.