brain freeze

[breyn freez]

noun

Informal.

1. Also called ice cream headache. a pain in the temples and forehead brought on by quickly consuming very cold food or drink.

2. a temporary lapse in memory; a sudden mental block.

Word History and Origins

Origin of brain freeze¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

The finale reached another low point with the “he’s your father” revelation in the end which must have caused “Star Wars” fans to have a brain freeze.

From Los Angeles Times

His second-innings dismissal, playing no shot to be lbw to Noman Ali, was the sort of brain freeze that comes after a whole box of ice pops.

From BBC

BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton described it as a "brain freeze", former Leeds forward Lucy Ward said on TNT it was a "shambles" and "farcical", while ex-England striker Peter Crouch called it a "moment of madness".

From BBC

It's a brain freeze from Mings.

From BBC

Granted, it is about a scheme to remove Will’s brain, freeze it, and blast it into space at unprecedented speeds so it can be intercepted and studied by the San-Ti.

From New York Times