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."
inseparable
ice up
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
For a surface, machine, or mechanism to become blocked or coated with ice, often causing problems.
In plain English
When something gets covered or blocked by ice so it stops working properly.
What does "ice up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For ice to build up on something — transparent.
Actually means
When something gets covered or blocked by ice so it stops working properly.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "ice up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wings pipes lock windshield engine runway
How to conjugate "ice up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "ice up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "ice up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.