freeze

Universal Words verb, noun verb (froze ) become ice 1 to become hard, and often turn to ice, as a result of extreme cold; to make sth do this: [V] Water freezes at 0ｰC. * It's so cold that even the river has frozen. * [VN] The cold weather had frozen the ground. * [V-ADJ] The clothes froze solid on the washing-line. OPPTHAW of pipe / lock / machine 2 ~ (sth) (up) if a pipe, lock or machine freezes, or sth freezes it, it becomes blocked with frozen liquid and therefore cannot be used: [V] The pipes have frozen, so we've got no water. * [VN] Ten degrees of frost had frozen the lock on the car. of weather 3 [V] when it freezes, the weather is at or below 0ｰ Celsius: It may freeze tonight, so bring those plants inside. be very cold 4 to be very cold; to be so cold that you die: [V] Every time she opens the window we all freeze. * [V, VN] Two men froze to death on the mountain. * Two men were frozen to death on the mountain. food 5 [VN] to keep food at a very low temperature in order to preserve it: Can you freeze this cake? * These meals are ideal for home freezing. 6 [V] to be able to be kept at a very low temperature: Some fruits freeze better than others. stop moving 7 [V] to stop moving suddenly because of fear, etc: I froze with terror as the door slowly opened. * (figurative) The smile froze on her lips. * The police officer shouted 'Freeze!' and the man dropped the gun. film / movie 8 [VN] to stop a film/movie or video in order to look at a particular picture: Freeze the action there! seealsoFREEZE-FRAME wages / prices 9 [VN] to hold wages, prices, etc. at a fixed level for a period of time: Salaries have been frozen for the current year. money / bank account 10 [VN] to prevent money, a bank account, etc. from being used by getting a court order which forbids it: The company's assets have been frozen. IDIOMS freeze your blood