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fritz up

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

In simple words

When something goes wrong or stops working properly.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

For a device or system to malfunction or stop working correctly.

"The air conditioning fritzed up on the hottest day of the year."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Much rarer than 'fritz out'. Used informally in American English. Some speakers use it as a transitive verb meaning to ruin or break something. Not standard; ESL learners should prefer 'fritz out' or 'break down'.

Commonly used with

machine system device engine

Forms

Base

fritz up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

fritzes up

he/she/it

Past simple

fritzed up

yesterday

Past participle

fritzed up

have + pp

-ing form

fritzing up

continuous

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Synonyms

fritz out break down malfunction mess up go haywire

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