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freeze out

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freeze someone out

 

1. Lit. to make it too cold for someone, usually by opening windows or through the use of air-conditioning. Turn up the heat unless you're trying to freeze us out. Are you trying to freeze out everybody? Close the door.

2. Fig. to lock someone out socially; to isolate someone from something or a group. We didn't want to freeze you out. You failed to pay your dues, however. They froze out the newcomers.

See also: freeze, out

freeze out somebody/something

also freeze somebody/something out

to prevent someone or something from being involved in an activity The company tried to freeze out its competition by buying up all the gas stations in the area.

Usage notes: usually said about an unfair way of preventing involvement

See also: freeze, out

freeze out

Shut out or exclude by unfriendly treatment; force to retire or withdraw from membership, a job, or the like. For example, They tried to freeze me out of the conversation, or After Bill was frozen out of the case, they hired a new lawyer. [Mid-1800s]

See also: freeze, out

freeze out

v.

To shut out or exclude someone by cold or unfriendly treatment: The popular kids tried to freeze me out of the conversation. The group froze out the new employees at the meeting.

See also: freeze, out