seize
gb/sˈiz/ us/sˈiz/
B1
English
~ 3900
megragad, elkap, lefoglal, elkoboz, magához ragad, él a lehetőséggel, megszorul, beragad, besül
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to seize [something/someone]
The police seized the suspect's arm before he could run.
A rendőrök megragadták a gyanúsított karját, mielőtt elfuthatott volna.
She seized the rope and pulled herself up.
Megragadta a kötelet, és felhúzta magát.
Security guards seized the intruder at the gate.
He seized her hand to stop her from falling.
Learner examples
I seized the ball from his hands.
Kiragadtam a labdát a kezéből.
The man seized my bag.
A férfi megragadta a táskámat.
She seized the cat before it ran away.
The guard seized him at the door.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'seize' with 'see' because of similar pronunciation, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
Take hold suddenly and firmly
Collocations
seize control
|seize power
|seize the opportunity
|seize a weapon
|seize a chance
Synonyms
grab (More general and less forceful; can be casual or accidental.)
Antonyms
release (To let go of something held.)
Themes
law
|crime
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To grab something quickly and strongly.
To take physical hold of someone or something quickly and firmly, often by force.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to seize [property/power/control]
The army seized control of the capital.
A hadsereg átvette az irányítást a főváros felett.
Customs officers seized hundreds of counterfeit goods.
A vámosok több száz hamisított árucikket foglaltak le.
The rebels seized the radio station.
Police seized his passport at the airport.
Learner examples
The police seized the stolen car.
A rendőrség lefoglalta az ellopott autót.
They seized power after the election.
A választás után magukhoz ragadták a hatalmat.
The bank seized the house for nonpayment.
Officers seized illegal drugs from the truck.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'cease', which means to stop.
Meaning
Take control by force or law
Collocations
seize property
|seize assets
|seize power
|seize control
Synonyms
confiscate (Specifically refers to taking away property by authority, often permanently.)
Antonyms
surrender (To give up control or possession willingly.)
Themes
law
|politics
|crime
Definition
To take control of something by using force or law.
To take control, possession, or custody of something, especially by force or under legal authority.
VERB
B2
3
megragad
B1
Usage pattern:
to seize [the chance/opportunity/moment]
She seized the chance to travel abroad.
Megragadta az alkalmat, hogy külföldre utazzon.
You should seize any opportunity to learn new skills.
Minden lehetőséget meg kell ragadnod, hogy új készségeket tanulj.
They seized the moment and asked for a raise.
Learner examples
I will seize this chance to speak to her.
Megragadom ezt az alkalmat, hogy beszéljek vele.
He seized the moment to tell his story.
Megragadta a pillanatot, hogy elmondja a történetét.
We must seize every opportunity to help.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse literal and figurative uses; here it is figurative.
Meaning
Take an opportunity quickly
Collocations
seize the chance
|seize the moment
|seize an opportunity
Synonyms
grab (Can be more casual; often used for both physical and figurative opportunities.)
Antonyms
miss (To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.)
Themes
motivation
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To quickly use a chance to do something.
To act quickly to take advantage of an opportunity.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
[machine/engine] seizes (up)
The engine seized after running without oil.
A motor besült, miután olaj nélkül járt.
If the gears seize, the whole system will fail.
Ha a fogaskerekek megszorulnak, az egész rendszer leáll.
The pump motor seized up during operation.
Learner examples
My bike wheel seized up on the hill.
A biciklikerekem megszorult az emelkedőn.
The car engine seized because there was no oil.
Az autó motorja besült, mert nem volt benne olaj.
The machine seized during use.
Meaning
Stop moving due to mechanical failure
Collocations
engine seizes up
|seized motor
Synonyms
jam (General term for mechanical stoppage; not necessarily due to heat or friction.)
Antonyms
run smoothly (To operate without problems.)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|work
Definition
When a machine stops working because parts are stuck together.
(Of a machine or part) To stop working because parts have stuck together or jammed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
seize
IPA
GB/sˈiz/
US/sˈiz/
Syllables & stress
seize (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (seize)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: seize
- 3rd Person Singular: seizes
- Present Participle: seizing
- Past: seized
Word family
Forms
seizes
verb
seizing
verb
seized
verb
Core family
seizure
noun B2
Expressions
seize on/upon [something]
1/sˈiz ənəpən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Exploit a point or remark quickly
To quickly use an idea or remark for your own purpose.
Examples
- The media seized on his comment as evidence of bias.
- She seized upon his hesitation to make her point.
seize the day
1/sˈiz ðə dˈeɪ/
idiom
Make the most of today
To enjoy life and do things now instead of waiting for later.
Examples
- You only live once, so seize the day!
- She decided to seize the day and book a trip abroad.
seize up
1/sˈiz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Stop working due to jamming
When a machine or part stops moving because parts are stuck together.
Examples
- The old engine seized up on the highway.
- My knee seized up after running too far.