seizing up
Mechanism suddenly jamming
Seizing up describes something locking or freezing in place when it should move freely.
An engine seizes up when its parts overheat and fuse together.
A back or knee seizes up when muscles or joints suddenly stiffen with pain: My shoulder seized up during the game.
Figuratively, a system or process seizes up when it stops functioning: The economy seized up during the crisis.
Loss of muscle function
- immobilityLack of motion
- rigidityState of being unbending
- petrifyFossilize or paralyze utterly
- solidifyMake or become hard
lock up · numbness · tense · shock · fear · panic · deer in headlights · stage fright
Painful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- charley horseSudden involuntary muscle contraction
- contractionReduction in size
- tightnessState of being constricted
stiffness · knot · tension · rigidity · ache · lactic acid · fatigue · strain
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- failureLack of success
- jamCooked fruit spread
- lockMechanism requiring a key
engine · stall · freeze · stuck · glitch · fault · defect · gridlock
Block or wooden shoe
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- constrictTo squeeze tightly
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
- throttlePower flow controller
jam · impede · gridlock · bottleneck · traffic · congestion · backed up · standstill
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- immobilityLack of motion
- rigidityState of being unbending
- petrifyFossilize or paralyze utterly
solidify · lock up · numbness · tense · shock · fear · panic · deer in headlights · stage fright · hesitation
cramp
Painful muscle seizure
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
- charley horseSudden involuntary muscle contraction
- contractionReduction in size
tightness · stiffness · knot · tension · rigidity · ache · lactic acid · fatigue · strain · soreness
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- malfunctionFailure to operate properly
- failureLack of success
- jamCooked fruit spread
lock · engine · stall · freeze · stuck · glitch · fault · defect · gridlock · short-circuit
clog
Block or wooden shoe
throttle · jam · impede · gridlock · bottleneck · traffic · congestion · backed up · standstill · blockage
- consciousness statesunconscious, conscious, awake, alert, sleep
seizing uploosening
Reducing tightness or tension
lubricating · freeing up · spinning · freeing · functioning
seizing uploosening up
Reducing tension or rigidity
relaxing · limbering up · stretching out · warming up · unwinding
seizing upflowing freely
freeing up · opening up · unclogging · unsticking · moving along