capital freeze

USAGE SUMMARY

'capital freeze' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you can use it when referring to a freeze on the movement of capital or money, as for example: "The government announced a capital freeze last week in order to control inflation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It expanded by 1.7% in a year when Latin America was contracting at a rate of about 2 percentage points.Mauricio Cárdenas Colombia's minister of finance BogotáEditor's note: We made an error in the capital freeze index that ran in the September 7th edition.

The Economist

Moreover, you neglected the most important vulnerabilities that the "sudden stop" literature emphasises about the risk of a capital freeze: the source of financing for the current account, the degree of exchange-rate flexibility and the extent of currency mismatches.Colombia stands favourably in all of those variables relative to our peers.

The Economist

The Economist has combined these four factors into an index measuring the vulnerability of 26 emerging markets to a capital freeze.You can see an interactive version of the index here.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The measures reportedly include giving Iran access to billions of dollars' worth of capital frozen in foreign banks under Western sanctions.

Los Angeles Times

The capital-freeze index OVERALL Current acc.

The Economist

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected]'s economySIR – Your capital-freeze index purportedly shows Colombia as the second-most-vulnerable emerging economy to a sudden stop in capital inflows ("Stop signs", September 7th).

The Economist

("Even worse," said Stephen Colbert, a television comedian, "none of their pie charts contained real pie").Fewer big decisions will have been made on the back of our capital-freeze index ("Stop signs", September 7th).

The Economist

Investors have lost confidence.We have also put together a "capital-freeze index" that assesses the vulnerability of large emerging markets to a sudden slowdown in capital flows:A large current-account gap implies lots of net borrowing from abroad, which could presage a credit crunch if funding dries up.

The Economist

But others in Washington and several Western capitals froze at the use of the g-word.

The New York Times

With capital markets frozen, many of these companies are running out of cash and looking to sell themselves or their products to a larger company.

The New York Times

The bombings left more than 180 people dead in India's commercial capital and froze the ongoing India-Pakistan peace talks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capital freeze" when specifically referring to a sudden halt in the flow or availability of capital, often in the context of economic instability or policy changes.

Common error

Avoid using "capital freeze" interchangeably with similar terms like "credit crunch" or "liquidity crisis" if the specific context involves a more general lack of credit or liquid assets rather than a deliberate freeze on capital movements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital freeze" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it describing situations where the availability or movement of capital is restricted or halted, often due to economic or political factors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capital freeze" is a noun phrase denoting a sudden restriction in the flow of capital, often within economic or political contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media, formal business, and science-related articles. While similar to concepts like “credit crunch” or “liquidity crisis”, "capital freeze" specifically emphasizes a halt in capital movements. When using the term, ensure it accurately reflects a deliberate freezing of capital rather than a general lack of funds. Related alternatives include "capital shortage" and "investment standstill".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital shortage

Directly refers to a deficiency in capital.

capital constraint

Emphasizes limitation or restriction on capital availability.

credit crunch

Specifically refers to a situation where credit becomes difficult to obtain.

liquidity crisis

Highlights the lack of available liquid assets.

funding shortfall

Focuses on the deficit in available funds.

investment standstill

Indicates a cessation of investment activity.

market illiquidity

Highlights the inability to easily convert assets into cash.

financial gridlock

Suggests a complete blockage in the flow of finances.

economic paralysis

Implies a broader stagnation affecting the economy due to financial issues.

investment drought

Metaphorically describes a prolonged absence of investment.

FAQs

How is "capital freeze" used in economics?

In economics, "capital freeze" typically refers to a situation where the flow of capital, either into or out of a country or market, is suddenly restricted or stopped. This can occur due to policy changes, economic instability, or external shocks.

What are some alternatives to using "capital freeze"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "capital shortage", "credit crunch", or "liquidity crisis". Each of these terms highlights slightly different aspects of financial constraint.

What causes a "capital freeze"?

A "capital freeze" can be caused by various factors, including government regulations, economic downturns, political instability, or a loss of investor confidence. These factors can lead to a sudden stop in capital inflows or outflows, creating a freeze.

What is the impact of a "capital freeze" on an economy?

A "capital freeze" can have significant negative impacts on an economy, including reduced investment, slower economic growth, increased unemployment, and financial instability. It can also lead to a decrease in international trade and a decline in overall business activity.