deep-freeze

verb (used with object), deep-freezed or deep-froze, deep-freezed or deep-fro·zen, deep-freez·ing.

1. to quick-freeze (food).
2. to store in a frozen state.

noun

1. a state or period of halted or suspended activity or progress: High interest rates created a deep freeze in housing construction.
2. suspended animation.

Idioms

3. put in/into the deep freeze, Informal. to stop or suspend the activity or progress of: A series of quarrels put their romance into the deep freeze.

registered trademark (U.S. Patent Office, 1941) of a type of refrigerator; used generically for “cold storage” since 1949.