seize up
Freeze mid-motion
Seize up describes a mechanism or body part that suddenly stops working properly due to stiffness, friction, or lack of lubrication.
An engine seizes up when its parts lock together from overheating or oil starvation.
Muscles and joints seize up when they become painfully stiff, often from cold, overexertion, or sitting in one position too long.
My back seized up after I helped them move.
By extension, any system that grinds to a halt may be said to seize up: The whole bureaucracy seized up during the transition.
Painful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- charley horseSudden involuntary muscle contraction
- tightnessState of being constricted
- contractionReduction in size
knot · crick · stiffness · lactic acid · fatigue · overexertion · soreness · twitch
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- engine failureLoss of motor function
- lock upSecure or imprison
- jamCooked fruit spread
rust · corrosion · grinding · friction · overheating · lubrication · gears · pistons
Unable to bend
arthritic · joints · inflexible · immobile · locked · cold · age · morning stiffness
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- stage frightFear of performing publicly
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
paralyzed · deer in headlights · choke · blanking · hesitation · petrified · rooted · frozen
Loss of muscle function
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- thrombosisClot forming in vessel
- clotCoagulated mass
- cardiac arrestAbrupt cessation of circulation
heart attack · artery · embolism · occlusion · angina · fibrillation · shock · catatonic
cramp
Painful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- charley horseSudden involuntary muscle contraction
- tightnessState of being constricted
contraction · knot · crick · stiffness · lactic acid · fatigue · overexertion · soreness · twitch · strain
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- engine failureLoss of motor function
- lock upSecure or imprison
jam · rust · corrosion · grinding · friction · overheating · lubrication · gears · pistons · bearings
rigid
Unable to bend
harden · arthritic · joints · inflexible · immobile · locked · cold · age · morning stiffness · movement
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- stage frightFear of performing publicly
anxiety · paralyzed · deer in headlights · choke · blanking · hesitation · petrified · rooted · frozen · immobilized
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- thrombosisClot forming in vessel
- clotCoagulated mass
cardiac arrest · heart attack · artery · embolism · occlusion · angina · fibrillation · shock · catatonic · rigor
- exhaustionexhaustion, burn out, drained, spent, tired