frozen with fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frozen with fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is unable to move because they are so scared. For example: "The deer was standing in the middle of the road, frozen with fear, as the headlights approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some stood mute, frozen with fear.

The New York Times

I was frozen with fear.

The New York Times

My wife and I sat frozen with fear.

The New York Times

The gang member then turned his gun on the teen, who was frozen with fear.

The Washington Post

One might be frozen with fear while another runs frantically in circles.

The New Yorker

He told me afterwards she seemed frozen with fear," continued Amro.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The healthy mice remembered the lemon scent and its consequences: They froze with fear.

Columbia University

"I froze with fear, I just thought 'I don't know if I can do that'," she said.

The Guardian - Music

Give me a track down a steep decline and I will freeze with fear halfway down and have to catch you up at the bottom, pushing my bike as I descend.

The Guardian - Travel

I froze with fear every time I was asked for my opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan and became a master at evasion, littering my assessments and write-ups with words like "maybe," "perhaps" and "will await further work-up".

The New York Times

Suddenly, where I once froze with fear at meeting new people, I now felt like a member of the family.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frozen with fear" to vividly describe a state of paralysis or immobility caused by intense fear, particularly when you want to emphasize the sudden and overwhelming nature of the feeling. This phrase is best used in descriptive or narrative writing to create a strong emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "frozen with fear" excessively in analytical or formal writing where a more objective or clinical description of fear or anxiety might be more appropriate. Consider using terms like "anxious", "fearful", or "apprehensive" for a more detached tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frozen with fear" functions primarily as a descriptive element, used to vividly depict a character's or subject's emotional and physical state when experiencing intense fear. Ludwig provides many examples in News and Media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frozen with fear" effectively conveys a state of paralysis and immobility resulting from intense fear, and as Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and frequently used in English. It is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Academic contexts, serving to evoke strong emotional responses and dramatic effects. While grammatically sound, it's best to reserve its use to descriptive writing where vivid imagery is desired. In analytical contexts, alternatives such as "anxious" or "apprehensive" may be more appropriate. Alternatives like "paralyzed by fear" or "petrified with fear" offer subtle variations in meaning, emphasizing different aspects of the fearful experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paralyzed by fear

Focuses on the inability to move as a result of fear.

petrified with fear

Emphasizes the feeling of being turned to stone by fear.

immobilized by terror

Highlights the incapacitating effect of extreme fear.

stupefied with fright

Suggests a state of shock and mental numbness due to fear.

transfixed with fear

Implies being held motionless by a captivating fear.

rooted to the spot with fear

Conveys the idea of being unable to move from a specific location because of fear.

unable to move due to fear

States directly the inability to move caused by fear.

stricken with terror

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming impact of fear.

speechless with fear

Highlights the inability to speak due to overwhelming fear.

consumed by fear

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of the fear.

FAQs

How can I use "frozen with fear" in a sentence?

Use "frozen with fear" to describe someone or something that is unable to move or react due to intense fear. For example, "The rabbit was "frozen with fear" as the fox approached".

What are some alternatives to "frozen with fear"?

You can use alternatives like "paralyzed by fear", "petrified with fear", or "immobilized by terror" to express a similar meaning.

Is "frozen with fear" an idiom?

While "frozen with fear" is a common expression, it's more accurately described as a figure of speech or a metaphorical phrase used to vividly convey a state of intense fear and immobility. It is not a standard idiom.

What's the difference between "frozen with fear" and "scared stiff"?

"Frozen with fear" and "scared stiff" are similar in meaning, both describing a state of immobility due to fear. However, "scared stiff" often implies a more sudden and shocking experience, while "frozen with fear" can suggest a more prolonged or overwhelming sense of dread.