freeze up

se bloquer, bloquer

Cesser soudain de fonctionner ou de bouger, ou provoquer cet arrêt.

En anglais simple : To suddenly stop working or moving, or make something stop.

• My laptop keeps freezing up.
• The screen froze up during the game.
• That software error can freeze the whole system up.

Comment l'utiliser : freeze something up (A faulty update froze the system up.)

Synonymes : freeze, hang, lock up

Expressions courantes : computers freeze up, freeze up suddenly, freeze something up

se figer, se bloquer

Ne plus pouvoir bouger, parler ou agir soudainement sous l’effet de la peur, de la surprise ou des regards.

En anglais simple : To suddenly be unable to move, speak, or act because of fear, surprise, or strong attention.

• I freeze up when I am scared.
• She froze up during the interview.
• Do you ever freeze up when everyone is watching you?

Synonymes : freeze, seize up

Expressions courantes : freeze up onstage, freeze up completely, freeze up suddenly

se bloquer à cause du gel

Cesser de fonctionner à cause de la glace qui se forme à l’intérieur ou autour.

En anglais simple : To stop working because ice forms inside or around something.

• The pipes might freeze up tonight.
• Our water pump froze up during the cold weather.
• Has the valve frozen up again?

Synonymes : ice up, freeze

Contraires : thaw

Expressions courantes : pipes freeze up, freeze up overnight, valves freeze up

se fermer, devenir distant

Devenir soudain froid, réservé et très formel envers quelqu’un.

En anglais simple : To suddenly become unfriendly, reserved, and very formal towards someone.

• He froze up when I asked about his family.
• She tends to freeze up around strangers.
• His warm manner disappeared, and he froze up completely.

Synonymes : become distant, withdraw

Contraires : warm up

Expressions courantes : freeze up socially, freeze up immediately, freeze up around someone