freeze up

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

phr.v. to suddenly become unable to speak or act because you are very nervous or scared.

phr.v. to become temporarily incapable of action or speech due to intense anxiety, stage fright, or shock.

“I knew all the answers, but I started to freeze up as soon as the exam began.”

“Despite his extensive preparation, the young actor began to freeze up the moment he stepped into the spotlight and saw the expectant audience.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

phr.v. to stop working because parts are stuck together, often due to ice or rust.

phr.v. to become immobile or non-functional due to the formation of ice or the seizing of mechanical components.

“The water pipes might freeze up if we don't leave the heating on during the winter.”

“Engineers warned that the external sensors could freeze up in sub-zero temperatures, potentially providing the cockpit with inaccurate altitude readings.”

C1 · Advanced Informal

phr.v. to suddenly become very cold, quiet, or unfriendly in a conversation.

phr.v. to adopt a cold, formal, or distant demeanour in a social interaction, typically as a defensive reaction.

“She used to be very friendly, but she started to freeze up whenever I mentioned her old job.”

“The witness began to freeze up under cross-examination, providing only terse, one-word answers to the prosecutor's increasingly aggressive questions.”