Seize up
verb
When a machine or part of it stops working suddenly.
My car's engine seized up because of the freezing cold.
Often appears as...
- engine seize up
- gearbox seize up
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
When a person becomes suddenly unable to move or think clearly.
He got so nervous during the presentation that he seized up.
Often appears as...
- seize up with fear
- seize up in panic
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
When a body part, like a muscle, suddenly tightens and cannot move or function.
Margaret’s leg seized up after she ran the marathon.
Often appears as...
- leg seize up
- arm seize up
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
When a machine or part of it stops working suddenly.
My car's engine seized up because of the freezing cold.
Often appears as...
- engine seize up
- gearbox seize up
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
When a person becomes suddenly unable to move or think clearly.
He got so nervous during the presentation that he seized up.
Often appears as...
- seize up with fear
- seize up in panic
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
When a body part, like a muscle, suddenly tightens and cannot move or function.
Margaret’s leg seized up after she ran the marathon.
Often appears as...
- leg seize up
- arm seize up
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Failure
Use 'seize up' to indicate an unexpected and complete stoppage of machinery.
The printer seized up in the middle of printing my report.
Pro Tip 2/3Technical Context
'Seize up' is often used when talking about technical or mechanical problems.
During the flight, the drone's motor seized up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Literal
Sometimes 'seize up' is used metaphorically to describe situations that grind to a halt.
The negotiations seized up after the disagreement.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Failure
Use 'seize up' to indicate an unexpected and complete stoppage of machinery.
The printer seized up in the middle of printing my report.
Pro Tip 2/3Technical Context
'Seize up' is often used when talking about technical or mechanical problems.
During the flight, the drone's motor seized up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Literal
Sometimes 'seize up' is used metaphorically to describe situations that grind to a halt.
The negotiations seized up after the disagreement.
Pro Tip 1/3Sudden Failure
Use 'seize up' to indicate an unexpected and complete stoppage of machinery.
The printer seized up in the middle of printing my report.
Pro Tip 2/3Technical Context
'Seize up' is often used when talking about technical or mechanical problems.
During the flight, the drone's motor seized up.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Literal
Sometimes 'seize up' is used metaphorically to describe situations that grind to a halt.
The negotiations seized up after the disagreement.
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