seize
gb/sˈiz/ us/sˈiz/
B1
Anglais
~ 3900
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
Take hold suddenly and firmly
To grab something quickly and strongly.
Schéma d’usage :
to seize [something/someone]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'seize' with 'see' because of similar pronunciation, but they have very different meanings.
Synonymes
grab (More general and less forceful; can be casual or accidental.)
Antonymes
release (To let go of something held.)
Collocations
seize control
|seize power
|seize the opportunity
|seize a weapon
|seize a chance
Thèmes
law
|crime
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The police seized the suspect's arm before he could run.
- She seized the rope and pulled herself up.
- Security guards seized the intruder at the gate.
- He seized her hand to stop her from falling.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I seized the ball from his hands.
- The man seized my bag.
- She seized the cat before it ran away.
- The guard seized him at the door.
Verbe
B2
action
2
Take control by force or law
To take control of something by using force or law.
Schéma d’usage :
to seize [property/power/control]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this with 'cease', which means to stop.
Synonymes
confiscate (Specifically refers to taking away property by authority, often permanently.)
Antonymes
surrender (To give up control or possession willingly.)
Collocations
seize property
|seize assets
|seize power
|seize control
Thèmes
law
|politics
|crime
Exemples
- The army seized control of the capital.
- Customs officers seized hundreds of counterfeit goods.
- The rebels seized the radio station.
- Police seized his passport at the airport.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The police seized the stolen car.
- They seized power after the election.
- The bank seized the house for nonpayment.
- Officers seized illegal drugs from the truck.
Verbe
B2
action
3
Take an opportunity quickly
To quickly use a chance to do something.
Schéma d’usage :
to seize [the chance/opportunity/moment]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse literal and figurative uses; here it is figurative.
Synonymes
grab (Can be more casual; often used for both physical and figurative opportunities.)
Antonymes
miss (To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.)
Collocations
seize the chance
|seize the moment
|seize an opportunity
Thèmes
motivation
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She seized the chance to travel abroad.
- You should seize any opportunity to learn new skills.
- They seized the moment and asked for a raise.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I will seize this chance to speak to her.
- He seized the moment to tell his story.
- We must seize every opportunity to help.
Verbe
technical
C1
event
4
Stop moving due to mechanical failure
When a machine stops working because parts are stuck together.
Schéma d’usage :
[machine/engine] seizes (up)
Synonymes
jam (General term for mechanical stoppage; not necessarily due to heat or friction.)
Antonymes
run smoothly (To operate without problems.)
Collocations
engine seizes up
|seized motor
Thèmes
technology
|engineering
|work
Exemples
- The engine seized after running without oil.
- If the gears seize, the whole system will fail.
- The pump motor seized up during operation.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My bike wheel seized up on the hill.
- The car engine seized because there was no oil.
- The machine seized during use.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
seize
API
GB/sˈiz/
US/sˈiz/
Syllabes et accentuation
seize (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (seize)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: seize
- 3rd Person Singular: seizes
- Present Participle: seizing
- Past: seized
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- The old engine seized up on the highway.
- My knee seized up after running too far.