Freeze out
phrasal verb
To intentionally exclude someone from something.
The older kids tried to freeze out the new kid from their group.
Often appears as...
- freeze someone out
- freeze out of the group
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To force someone to leave a place or situation by making them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.
When his coworkers found out about his past, they froze him out, stopped inviting him to lunch and ignored him at meetings.
Often appears as...
- freeze someone out of the conversation
- freeze out in the cold
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
phrasal verb
In finance, to deliberately prevent someone from participating in a beneficial activity, typically a business deal or opportunity.
The larger shareholders tried to freeze out the smaller ones from the merger deal.
Often appears as...
- freeze out of the deal
- attempt to freeze out
Usage tips
Disapproving
Technical,Colloquial,Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To intentionally exclude someone from something.
The older kids tried to freeze out the new kid from their group.
Often appears as...
- freeze someone out
- freeze out of the group
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
phrasal verb
To force someone to leave a place or situation by making them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.
When his coworkers found out about his past, they froze him out, stopped inviting him to lunch and ignored him at meetings.
Often appears as...
- freeze someone out of the conversation
- freeze out in the cold
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial,Idiomatic
phrasal verb
In finance, to deliberately prevent someone from participating in a beneficial activity, typically a business deal or opportunity.
The larger shareholders tried to freeze out the smaller ones from the merger deal.
Often appears as...
- freeze out of the deal
- attempt to freeze out
Usage tips
Disapproving
Technical,Colloquial,Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Social Exclusion
Refers to deliberately leaving someone out of social interactions or group activities.
She felt they were trying to freeze her out of the friend circle.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Bullying
Can be a form of bullying, subtle and without overt hostility.
The team would freeze him out by never passing the ball.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Often leaves the person feeling hurt, confused, and isolated.
After the argument, Emily tried to freeze out Claire, which made her very upset.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Exclusion
Refers to deliberately leaving someone out of social interactions or group activities.
She felt they were trying to freeze her out of the friend circle.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Bullying
Can be a form of bullying, subtle and without overt hostility.
The team would freeze him out by never passing the ball.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Often leaves the person feeling hurt, confused, and isolated.
After the argument, Emily tried to freeze out Claire, which made her very upset.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Exclusion
Refers to deliberately leaving someone out of social interactions or group activities.
She felt they were trying to freeze her out of the friend circle.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Bullying
Can be a form of bullying, subtle and without overt hostility.
The team would freeze him out by never passing the ball.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Often leaves the person feeling hurt, confused, and isolated.
After the argument, Emily tried to freeze out Claire, which made her very upset.
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