freezes up
Becomes suddenly immobile
To freeze up is to become suddenly unable to act or speak, typically from fear, anxiety, or pressure: I knew the answer but froze up during the presentation.
The phrase also describes mechanical failure—an engine or computer that freezes up stops working, usually from overheating or a system error: My laptop freezes up whenever I run too many programs.
- ice formationFrozen water structure
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- system crashComplete operational breakdown
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- laggingFailing to keep pace
overwhelm · lock-up · stage fright · performance anxiety · deer in headlights · buffering · indecision · fear · solidification · anxiety · fight or flight · mental block · drawing a blank · deadlock · hesitation · overheating · dread · unfreeze
freezes upkeeps it together
Maintains emotional stability
loosens up · thinks on one's feet · flows · relaxes · takes action
freeze, freezes, froze, frozen, freezing, freezer, freezers, antifreeze, deep-freeze