To seize up is for moving parts to stick fast and stop. The engine seized up, seized up completely, my back seized up.
It happens through heat, friction or rust, and an engine left to seize up is usually beyond saving. The figurative use covers bodies and systems alike, so a back or a supply chain can seize up.
1phraseseize upFor moving parts to stick fast and stop.
“If you never oil the bike chain, it will seize up in the winter rain.”
seize up is a sticking.
From about 1870 of machinery jamming through heat or friction, and figuratively since about 1950.
The term originates c. 1870 referring to a machine which jammed up because of excessive heat or friction; it has been used figuratively since c. 1950.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Repair & Damage