Freeze vs Nobody make a move

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Freeze

Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb

Nobody make a move

InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: FreezeMost common: Freeze
 FreezeNobody make a move
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/friːz/","/ˈfriːzɪz/","/frəʊz/","/ˈfrəʊzn/","/ˈfriːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/friːz/","/ˈfriːzɪz/","/frəʊz/","/ˈfrəʊzn/","/ˈfriːzɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈnəʊ.bə.dɪ ˌmeɪk ə muːv//🇺🇸 //ˈnoʊ.bə.di ˌmeɪk ə muːv//
Meaningto become very cold and turn into iceNo one should change their position.
ExamplePlease freeze the leftovers to keep them fresh.As soon as the robber entered, the officer shouted, 'Nobody make a move!'
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationssolid, over, up, into, freeze to death, solid, over, up, into, freeze to death, solid, over, up, into, freeze to death, well, well, suddenly, for a moment, for a second, seem to, in, with, into, freeze to the spot, freeze on the spot, effectively, atmake a sudden move, make a move for it, make a move towards, make a bold move, make a quick move
Antonymsmelt, warm, thaw-
Common mistakesConfused with 'freeze out' (to exclude someone), Using 'freezing' as a noun instead of an adjective, Mixing up with 'chill' (more mild temperature)Saying 'Nobody makes a move' instead of 'make' to match singular subject., Confusing 'make a move' with 'take a step' which has a different nuance., Using it in overly formal situations where a calmer phrase is appropriate.
Usage notesUse 'freeze' when talking about temperature or when someone suddenly stops moving. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts.Use this phrase in situations that require immediate attention or when wanting to prevent action. It's best suited for informal settings.

See it in real clips

Freeze
Nobody make a move

Frequently asked questions: Freeze vs Nobody make a move

What's the difference between Freeze and Nobody make a move?

Freeze: to become very cold and turn into ice Nobody make a move: No one should change their position.

Which is more formal: Freeze and Nobody make a move?

Freeze is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Freeze and Nobody make a move?

Freeze is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Freeze: Please freeze the leftovers to keep them fresh. Nobody make a move: As soon as the robber entered, the officer shouted, 'Nobody make a move!'

Can I use Freeze and Nobody make a move interchangeably?

Not always. Freeze and Nobody make a move are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.