Phrase guide

freeze up

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be adversely affected by ice, and not function.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

(of machines and software) To come or bring to a sudden halt, stop working (functioning).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • Since the last update, the program freezes up after a few minutes of use.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

(of people and other animals) To stop or be stopped due to attentiveness, fear, surprise, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • Despite all of the rehearsals, as soon as I got on stage I froze up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To become cold and formal in demeanour.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 凍結 /冻结 (dòngjié) — adversely affected by ice
  • Finnish: jäätyä — adversely affected by ice
  • Chinese Mandarin: 當機 /当机 (dàngjī) — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Finnish: hyytyä — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • French: se figer — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • German: einfrieren — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • German: sich aufhängen — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Portuguese: travar — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Portuguese: congelar — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Russian: ви́снуть (vísnutʹ) — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Russian: зави́снуть (zavísnutʹ) — (of machines and software) come to a sudden halt
  • Chinese Mandarin: 僵住 (jiāngzhù) — (of people and other animals) stop or be stopped
  • Finnish: jähmettyä — (of people and other animals) stop or be stopped
  • Chinese Mandarin: 冷漠 (lěngmò) — become cold and formal in demeanour
  • Finnish: viiletä — become cold and formal in demeanour