brainlock

English

Etymology

From brain +‎ lock.

Noun

brainlock (uncountable)

1. (informal) The situation where a person's brain seems to freeze up, preventing them from proceeding.
   • 1991, Air & Space Smithsonian, volume 6, page 78:

     Pilots worry about "brainlock" — that sickening sensation when you pull out of a vertical dive at near 200 mph and have no idea what figure comes next.

   • 2009, Ben Sherwood, The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life:

     Another, more disturbing reason for no-pulls is what skydivers call brainlock. Jumping out of a plane with your heart pounding and stress hormones pumping, it's no surprise that your mind can freeze up for a few seconds.

Anagrams

• black iron