freeze over
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When a lake, river, or other surface becomes totally covered in ice because it is very cold.
Literal meaning: To freeze across the top — the meaning is largely transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a body of water to become completely covered with a layer of ice.
"The pond in the park had frozen over by January, and children were skating on it."
"The Thames froze over completely in 1963 for the last time."
— Various UK historical weather reports, widely cited
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
Used in the idiom 'when hell freezes over' to mean something will never happen.
"He'll apologize when hell freezes over — don't hold your breath."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used literally of water bodies and surfaces. Also used in the idiom 'when hell freezes over' to mean 'never'. Common in news and weather reporting.
Commonly used with
lake river pond sea road pipes
Forms
Base
freeze over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
freezes over
he/she/it
Past simple
freezed over
yesterday
Past participle
freezed over
have + pp
-ing form
freezing over
continuous
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Synonyms
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