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freeze up

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freeze up

 

1. Lit. [for something] to freeze and stop functioning. The joint froze up and wouldn't move anymore.

2. Fig. [for someone] to become frightened and anxious, and be unable to move, speak, or continue with something. I froze up and couldn't say anything more.

See also: freeze, up

freeze up

v.

1. To become completely frozen: The water in the ice trays hasn't frozen up yet.

2. To cause something to freeze completely: We froze up the water for ice cubes. Freeze the juice up and we'll have some frozen treats!

3. To become fixed in place or unable to move: The lock froze up due to rust. When I noticed that I was being watched, I froze up.

4. To cause something to become fixed in place or unable to move: The subzero temperatures froze up the water pipes. The rust froze the gears up.

See also: freeze, up