What are the definitions of “seize up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To suddenly become stiff or immobile.
Her back seized up painfully after she’d lifted the box.
- 2To stop working suddenly and completely.
If you don’t add oil, the engine will eventually seize up.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “seize up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb seize up is to suddenly become stiff or immobile, or to stop working suddenly and completely. It can be used to describe a person's body, a machine, or any other object that can become stuck or stop functioning.
What are the different verb forms of “seize up”?
| Root Verb | seize up |
| Third Person Singular Present | seizes up |
| Present Participle | seizing up |
| Simple Past | seized up |
| Past Participle | seized up |
Example
After a long run, my legs started to seize up.
Example
The old printer often seizes up when printing multiple pages.
Example
The door is seizing up due to the cold weather.
Example
The car engine seized up because it ran out of oil.
Example
His muscles seized up after the intense workout.
What kind of phrasal verb is “seize up”?
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.)
Intransitive verb
“seize up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The door seized up in the cold weather.
Example
Her muscles seized up after lifting the heavy box.
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
“seize up” 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
The door seized up in the cold weather.
Example
Her muscles seized up after lifting the heavy box.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “seize up”?
Good things to know
Does “seize up” have an informal or formal tone?
Seize up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
