seize

BrE /siːz/ AmE /siːz/

verb en → es

past seized pp seized ing seizing

1 GRAB/HOLD [transitive] B2

to grab or take hold of something suddenly and forcefully

agarrar, tomar, apoderarse de

  • seize somebody/something

Collocations seize an opportunity · seize control of something

  • He seized the gun and ran.

    Él agarró el arma y corrió.

2 CAPTURE [transitive] B1

to capture or arrest someone, especially by force

capturar, apresar, detener a alguien

  • seize somebody

Collocations seize a prisoner · seize a suspect

  • The police seized the suspect.

    La policía apresó al sospechoso.

1 CLAIM [transitive] C1

to take possession of something by force or right

apoderarse de, tomar posesión de

  • seize control of something

Collocations seize power · seize an opportunity

  • The rebels seized power.

    Los rebeldes tomaron el poder.

2 PUNISH [transitive] C1

to punish someone by taking something from them or making them do something unpleasant

castigar, sancionar a alguien

  • seize somebody's property

Collocations seize assets · seize goods

  • The court seized his assets.

    El tribunal confiscó sus activos.

1 ELECTRICAL [intransitive] C1

to start to work suddenly, especially after being inactive for a period of time

empezar a funcionar de repente

  • seize
  • The engine seized.

    El motor se trabó.

2 MEDICAL [intransitive] C1

to have a sudden attack of pain, especially in the chest or stomach

tener un ataque de dolor súbito

  • seize
  • He seized with pain.

    Él tuvo un ataque de dolor.

1 ELECTRICAL [intransitive] C1

to stop working suddenly, especially because of a fault or lack of oil

dejar de funcionar repentinamente

  • seize
  • The engine seized.

    El motor se trabó.

2 MEDICAL [intransitive] C1

to have a sudden attack of pain, especially in the chest or stomach

tener un ataque de dolor súbito

  • seize
  • She seized with pain.

    Ella tuvo un ataque de dolor.

Phrasal verbs

seize on GRAB/USE C1

agarrar, aprovechar

  • He seized on the opportunity to leave.

    Él aprovechó la oportunidad para irse.

seize up STOP WORKING C1

trabarse, dejar de funcionar

  • The car seized up.

    El coche se trabó.

seize off GRAB/USE C1

agarrar, aprovechar

  • She seized off the chance to speak.

    Ella aprovechó la oportunidad de hablar.

seize upon GRAB/USE C1

agarrar, aprovechar

  • They seized upon the idea.

    Ellos se apoderaron de la idea.

seize away TAKE AWAY C1

quitar, arrebatar

  • The police seized the weapons away.

    La policía confiscó las armas.

Idioms

seize the day C1

aprovechar el momento

  • We should seize the day and enjoy ourselves.

    Deberíamos aprovechar el momento y disfrutar.

seize upon an opportunity C1

aprovechar una oportunidad

  • He seized upon the opportunity to travel.

    Él aprovechó la oportunidad de viajar.

seize control of something C1

tomar el control de algo

  • They seized control of the company.

    Ellos tomaron el control de la empresa.