1
general::
Phrase(s): freeze someone out
1. Lit. to make it too cold for someone, usually by opening windows or through the use of air-conditioning. • Turn up the heat unless you’re trying to freeze us out. • Are you trying to freeze out everybody? Close the door. 2. Fig. to lock someone out socially; to isolate someone from something or a group. • We didn’t want to freeze you out. You failed to pay your dues, however. • They froze out the newcomers.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Shut out or exclude by unfriendly treatment; force to retire or withdraw from membership, a job, or the like. For example, They tried to freeze me out of the conversation, or After Bill was frozen out of the case, they hired a new lawyer. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms