freeze to death

freeze to death

1. verb Literally, to die as a result of exposure to cold temperatures. Gus would have frozen to death had the rescue crew not found him when they did.
2. verb To cause someone to die as a result of exposure to cold temperatures. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "freeze" and "to." The blistering cold would have frozen Gus to death had the rescue crew not found him when they did.
3. verb To feel extremely cold. You'll freeze to death if you go outside without a coat! Is the bus ever coming? I'm freezing to death here!
4. verb To cause someone to feel extremely cold. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "freeze" and "to." We need to bundle up so the frigid wind doesn't freeze us to death.
See also: death, freeze
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

freeze someone or something to death

 
1. Lit. [for cold weather] to kill someone or something. I was afraid that the cold snap would freeze the dog to death.
2. Fig. to make someone or something very cold. This weather is going to freeze us all to death.
See also: death, freeze
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • fall out
  • fallout
  • break out
  • dig at
  • dig at (someone or something)
  • be in
  • close up
  • cross over
  • face off
  • face-off
References in periodicals archive
In my house, however, Christmas-tree SHOPPING is a tradition carried over from my wife's childhood, and unless we stop and browse and haggle and freeze to death at a minimum of 10 lots, we can't possibly find an acceptable tree or enjoy the season.
The six-month Christmas tree
This isn't Victorian times, it's 2006 - and ensuring our old folk don't freeze to death in winter should be right at the top of this government's priorities.
Letter: Your Say - HELP OUR OLD PAY FUEL BILLS
Ms Murrell was stabbed and left to freeze to death on March 21, 1984.
Hilda's killer to appeal
She was stabbed, kidnapped in her own car, sexually assaulted and left to freeze to death in a field in 1984.
'Thief' on Hilda rap
The lassie will freeze to death in Scotland on the second last month of the year wearing next to nothing.
STEVE McKENNA ON A MONDAY: Is it an outfit to die for?
But her biggest challenge was to simply stay warm: If she couldn't hike down the slope immediately, Howkins would freeze to death.
Frozen Science
In quick succession, the Dow crashes hard, Will learns of Gail's infidelity, and he's left to freeze to death in the woods by the mobster whose wife Joel is screwing.
Two Guys from Verona: A Novel of Suburbia
A TOURIST was forced to leave his girlfriend to freeze to death in the US after she begged him to find help.
Girl's icy death as lover went for aid
If he wants to freeze to death, he could at least wear a fig leaf.
Voice of The Mirror: Naked truth
You might also want to know if you'll freeze to death, and whether you'll be able to breathe.
NASA's mission to Mars: what will the 'Mars Observer' space probe teach us about our planetary neighbors?
He said: "When the petrol ran out we knew we could either freeze to death in the Jeep or go for it.
ANGUISH AS GIRL DIES IN SNOW
Night said his head was slammed against the car door as he pleaded: "I'm going to freeze to death." And before driving off, Munson and his colleague told him: "That's your f*** problem."
RED INDIAN LEFT FOR DEAD BY SCOTS COP; Brute dumped drunk in middle of winter
She had earlier refused to listen to her boyfriend Carl Manning, 28, admit to tying up the girl and leaving her to freeze to death in a bath.
Anna a 'gift from God'