freeze-up

[ freez-uhp ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a freezing over of a body of water in an area.
2. a period of below-freezing temperatures.
3. the condition of being immobilized or inoperative through freezing:

   car engine freeze-up in winter.

freeze-up

noun

1. a period of freezing or extremely cold weather
2. 1. the freezing of lakes, rivers, and topsoil in autumn or early winter
   2. the time of year when this occurs

Word History and Origins

Origin of freeze-up¹

1875–80, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase freeze up

Example Sentences

But the game, like many in this early age of computer programming, had a bug and would freeze up on occasion.

From The Daily Beast

Miraculously, Kim, who tends to freeze up and act awkward when thrown out of her very narrow comfort zone, was a sport and agreed.

From The Daily Beast

When the soil pipe from a water-closet is exposed in cold weather it may freeze up or be clogged by urinary deposits.

From Project Gutenberg

They freeze up whole engine wheels with liquid air, then put on the tires, which are not frozen.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they comes back t' take their outfits up an' they has t' get in before freeze up.

From Project Gutenberg

I like to set traps in those springs for they never freeze up and the bait keeps much longer.

From Project Gutenberg

On level, and even high prairie land, water will stand in winter, and thoroughly saturate the soil and freeze up.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lose it
• overreact
• scare