[come] to a grinding halt
1
to suddenly and completely stop, often in a dramatic or unexpected manner, implying a sense of frustration, disappointment, or failure
The idiom "come to a grinding halt" means to suddenly stop or come to a complete standstill, often after a period of gradual slowing down. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is often used to describe a situation or process that has stopped abruptly and unexpectedly. The phrase often implies that the event or process in question was moving slowly or gradually before stopping completely.
- If we don't address the issue soon, the entire system will come to a grinding halt.
- She is worried that the negotiations will come to a grinding halt if the other party doesn't compromise.
- The construction project came to a grinding halt due to a shortage of building materials.
- The production line came to a grinding halt when the machinery broke down.
- They have been working tirelessly, but the project has come to a grinding halt due to a lack of funding.