Freezing temperatures
Definitions
Extremely cold weather
To describe weather conditions that are below the freezing point, typically causing discomfort and inconvenience to people and animalsLack of warmth or emotion
To describe a situation or atmosphere that is emotionally cold and distant, lacking in warmth and genuine feeling
Examples of Freezing temperatures
The job interview left me feeling like a fish out of water. My nerves were in overdrive, and my mind went blank. I was frozen with anxiety, just like a statue in the midst of a snowstorm.
The idiom "frozen with anxiety" means being completely and helplessly overcome with fear or nervousness, just as objects freeze in extremely cold temperatures. Here, the speaker is comparing the feeling of acute anxiety to being frozen solid in a snowstorm. The image conveyed is one of extreme vulnerability and immobility, leaving the affected person feeling completely powerless.
The sales figures for this quarter have taken a nosedive. Our profits are freezing over, just like an icy lake in winter.
The idiom "freezing over" refers to a body of water solidifying completely due to freezing temperatures. The speaker is comparing this phenomenon to the freezing of profits, a condition that can be just as devastating and long-lasting for a business as the literal freezing over of a lake. The metaphor suggests that the situation is dire and that urgent action is needed to prevent further damage.
She stared at him with icy coldness in her eyes. Her anger had reached its freezing point, and she was determined not to let him off the hook.
The idiom "reached its freezing point" is used to indicate the maximum level or limit of something. In this instance, it's used to describe the speaker's anger, which has reached its zenith. The metaphor of freezing point adds an extra element of intensity and impassiveness to the speaker's demeanor, highlighting her emotional distance from the person in front of her.
The company's decision to freeze salaries next year is a bitter pill to swallow. It's like walking into a blizzard without a coat.
The idiom "a bitter pill to swallow" indicates an unpleasant and undesirable fact or situation that one must face or accept. The speaker is comparing this to walking into a blizzard without proper clothing. The metaphor emphasizes the harshness and severity of both situations, illustrating how the decision to freeze salaries could cause employees to shiver and struggle against the unrelenting winds of economic hardship.
The wind chill factor made it feel like -30 degrees Fahrenheit today, making it almost impossible to stay outside for more than a few minutes. It was truly freezing!
"Freezing" is being used as an idiom in this example to describe extremely low temperatures. The context of the sentence refers to how harsh and bitterly cold the weather is, making it feel like the temperature is freezing, even though the exact temperature is -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
This winter seems like it's been nothing but freezing temperatures and snowstorms; it feels like we've been living in a never-ending winter wonderland.
In this example, "freezing temperatures" is being used to describe the weather conditions that have persisted for an extended period of time. It's implied that the temperatures are so cold that it's almost as if water is turning to ice (which is frozen).
The car refuses to start in this freezing weather; it's almost as if the cold has sucked the life out of the engine.
Here, "freezing weather" is being used to imply that the cold has caused some sort of problem with the car. The cold is being personified, as though it has some sort of power over the engine.
It's been so cold lately that I feel like a popsicle whenever I step outside; it's truly freezing!
This example uses "freezing" to describe how uncomfortably cold it's been recently. It's being used as an idiom because the speaker is comparing the cold to the sensation of biting into a popsicle, which results in a frozen sensation.
Conclusion
The idiom "freezing temperatures" is used to describe two different meanings. The first meaning refers to extremely cold weather, while the second meaning refers to a lack of warmth or emotion. In both cases, the word "freezing" is used metaphorically to depict a state of extreme coldness, whether it be physical or emotional.In the first meaning, "freezing temperatures" is often used to describe weather conditions that are below the freezing point. This can cause discomfort and inconvenience to people and animals, as well as potentially causing damage to plants and infrastructure. It is a way to emphasize just how cold the weather is and to warn others to take precautions against the harsh conditions.
In the second meaning, "freezing temperatures" is used to describe a situation or atmosphere that lacks warmth and genuine emotion. This could refer to a relationship that has turned cold and distant, or a social gathering where people are not connecting with each other. It is a way to convey a sense of emotional chilliness and detachment.
Origin of "Freezing temperatures"
The origin of the phrase "freezing temperatures" can be traced back to the 16th century, when the word "freeze" was used to describe the process of becoming solid due to extreme cold. Over time, this word was also used metaphorically to describe coldness and lack of warmth in other contexts, including the weather and emotions.
In early English literature, "freezing temperatures" was often used to describe harsh and unforgiving weather conditions. This was especially common in works of literature that were set in colder regions, such as the Arctic or Antarctica. As the phrase gained popularity, it became a common way to describe extremely cold weather in everyday language as well.
In terms of its emotional connotation, "freezing temperatures" may have originated from the belief that coldness can also refer to a lack of emotion or empathy. This idea is reflected in phrases such as "cold-hearted" and "cold shoulder." Therefore, the phrase "freezing temperatures" may have evolved to also describe a lack of warmth or emotion in a situation or atmosphere.