 proven ways to get rid of your hiccups fast. Go full Mary Poppins and swallow a spoonful of sugar. The sugar irritates the back of your throat, which interrupts those pesky spasms. Try pulling your knees up to your chest for a couple minutes. This move helps to relieve pressure off the diaphragm so it can go back to functioning normally. You can also try holding your breath or drinking some cold water. These methods also help to relax your diaphragm. So the next time you get the hiccups, feel free to skip the jump scare or the drinking water upside down tactic and opt for one of these tried and true methods.