ice up
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When something gets covered or blocked by ice so it stops working properly.
Literal meaning: For ice to build up on something — transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a machine or mechanical part to become coated with ice, causing it to malfunction.
"The aircraft's engines iced up during the descent through the clouds."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
For a small surface like a lock, windshield, or pipe to become blocked by ice.
"My car door lock iced up overnight and I couldn't get in this morning."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Particularly common in aviation (aircraft wings icing up), automotive (car locks, windshields), and infrastructure contexts (pipes icing up). Used in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
wings pipes lock windshield engine runway
Forms
Base
ice up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ices up
he/she/it
Past simple
iced up
yesterday
Past participle
iced up
have + pp
-ing form
icing up
continuous
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