What are the definitions of “freeze out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Shut out or exclude by unfriendly treatment.
They tried to FREEZE me OUT of the conversation.
- 2Force to retire or withdraw from membership, a job, etc.
After Jim was FROZEN OUT of the case, they hired a new lawyer.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “freeze out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb freeze out is to shut out or exclude someone by treating them in an unfriendly way. It can be used to describe situations where someone is intentionally left out of a conversation, activity, or decision-making process.
What are the different verb forms of “freeze out”?
| Root Verb | freeze out |
| Third Person Singular Present | freezes out |
| Present Participle | freezing out |
| Simple Past | froze out |
| Past Participle | frozen out |
Example
They tried to freeze her out of the group.
Example
He freezes out anyone who disagrees with him.
Example
She is freezing out her coworker from important meetings.
Example
They froze out the new employee, making him feel unwelcome.
Example
She felt frozen out of the decision-making process.
What kind of phrasal verb is “freeze out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“freeze out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
They froze her out of the conversation.
Example
He froze out the new employee.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“freeze out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
They froze her out of the conversation.
Example
He froze out the new employee.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “freeze out”?
Good things to know
Does “freeze out” have an informal or formal tone?
Freeze out is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the context. However, in some cases, more formal synonyms may be preferred.
