bog down

verb

1. to impede or be impeded physically or mentally

Idioms and Phrases

Become stuck, be unable to progress, as in Their research bogged down because they lacked the laboratory expertise. This expression transfers sinking into the mud of a swamp to being hampered or halted. [First half of 1900s]

Related Words

• halt 
• hang up 
• impede 
• stall