freeze up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But as temperatures have hit -20C on the front, both the equipment and men operating the devices freeze up.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Arthur Julian, a writer on “F Troop,” noted that “real audiences sound phonier than the laugh track. Sometimes they freeze up and act unnatural.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

We freeze up because we’re afraid of the wrong choice.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 4, 2025

But the service was unreliable — access would frequently drop or freeze up.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2024

Hear his wicked laugh, so mean and dirty it makes my stomach freeze up and my knees feel squishy.

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick