deep freeze

¹ American  

noun

1. a state or period of halted or suspended activity or progress.

   High interest rates created a deep freeze in housing construction.

2. suspended animation.

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idioms

1. put in / into the deep freeze, to stop or suspend the activity or progress of.

   A series of quarrels put their romance into the deep freeze.

deep-freeze ² American  

[deep-freez] / ˈdipˈfriz /

verb (used with object)

deep-freezed, deep-froze, deep-freezed, deep-frozen, deep-freezing

1. to quick-freeze (food).

2. to store in a frozen frozen state.

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Etymology

Origin of deep freeze¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Origin of deep-freeze²

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; deep + freeze

Example Sentences

This was a dramatic turnaround for a relationship between two nations that had been in the deep freeze for a decade, and it will be music to President Xi Jinping 's ears.

From BBC

The winter storm that sent Americans scurrying to buy snowblowers, shovels, and rock salt now has them in a deep freeze.

From Barron's

The city experienced a deep freeze that plunged residents into cold and darkness.

From BBC

A massive winter storm over the weekend put much of the country into a deep freeze, and the mercury is plummeting at a time when utility bills are skyrocketing.

From MarketWatch

The massive winter storm forecast for this weekend could put much of the country into a deep freeze, and the mercury is plummeting at a time when utility bills are skyrocketing.

From MarketWatch