seized up
Frozen in place
Seized up describes a mechanism that has locked or frozen, unable to move due to friction, rust, or lack of lubrication: The engine seized up because we ran it without oil.
The phrase extends to muscles that cramp or lock painfully: My back seized up when I tried to lift the box.
More broadly, anything that suddenly stops functioning can seize up: The whole system seized up when the server crashed.
Unable to move freely
- stuckUnable to move
- locked upConfined or secured
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
broken down · failed · malfunctioning · kaput · busted · conked out · dead · inoperable
Uncomfortably lacking space
- spasmedContracted in sudden jerks
- lockedFastened with a mechanism
- tightenedMade more secure
- knottedTied with loops
stiffened · tensed · charley horse · contracted · clenched · pulled · strained · immobilized
Became solid or still
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- grippedHeld with pressure
locked up · blanked · choked · panicked · deer in headlights · stunned · immobilized · rooted
Unable to move voluntarily
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- cardiac arrestAbrupt cessation of circulation
- heart attackBlocked blood to muscle
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
collapse · incapacitated · immobilized · stricken · episode · attack · fit · frozen
jammed
Unable to move freely
stalled · broken down · failed · malfunctioning · kaput · busted · conked out · dead · inoperable · nonfunctional
cramped
Uncomfortably lacking space
knotted · stiffened · tensed · charley horse · contracted · clenched · pulled · strained · immobilized · rigid
froze
Became solid or still
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
gripped · locked up · blanked · choked · panicked · deer in headlights · stunned · immobilized · rooted · stage fright
paralyzed
Unable to move voluntarily
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- cardiac arrestAbrupt cessation of circulation
- heart attackBlocked blood to muscle
shock · collapse · incapacitated · immobilized · stricken · episode · attack · fit · frozen · unresponsive
- brokenbroken, busted, broken down, out of order, not working
- stillnessstillness, motionless, motionlessness, immobility, unmoving
seized upfunctioning
Working as intended
running · purring · well-oiled · lubricated · in working order
seized upflowing
Moving continuously onward
operational · functioning · responsive · unfrozen · unstuck