grind to a halt

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   To slow down gradually and then stop completely, often with difficulty or noise.

   Grammar: Used with a subject that moves or operates: traffic, a machine, an economy, a process.

   Patterns

   • something grinds to a halt
   • traffic ground to a halt

   The traffic ground to a halt just outside the city.

   The old machine shuddered and ground to a halt.

   Production ground to a halt when the power failed.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   To gradually stop making progress or come to an end.

   Grammar: Used figuratively for activities, talks, or plans that stop making progress.

   Patterns

   • talks grind to a halt
   • the project ground to a halt

   The peace talks ground to a halt after two days.

   The investigation ground to a halt due to lack of evidence.

   Without funding, the whole project ground to a halt.

Word forms

Common combinations

traffic grinds to a halt

Traffic grinds to a halt every Friday afternoon.

production grinds to a halt

Production ground to a halt after the strike.

the economy grinds to a halt

The economy ground to a halt during the crisis.

come to a halt

The train came to a halt at the station.

Synonyms and how they differ

stop

A general word for ending movement; 'grind to a halt' suggests a slow, difficult stop.

stall

Used for engines or processes that stop working suddenly; 'grind to a halt' is more gradual.

Opposites

Commonly confused: grind to a halt or come to a grinding halt?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “grind to a halt”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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