bog down

British  

verb

1. to impede or be impeded physically or mentally

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bog down Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

He knew he should probably seek a permit but didn’t want to get bogged down in red tape.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sports move so fast that we don’t have time to get bogged down with approvals and multiple meetings to discuss one thing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Companies would theoretically also be able to avoid opposition from communities that don’t want data centers in their backyards and sidestep regulations that bog down construction on Earth.

From MarketWatch

The movie doesn’t get bogged down in this kind of thing, but it does have a somber air and a looser, more digressive plot than its predecessor.

From The Wall Street Journal

The matter has since been bogged down in court.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• halt
• hang up
• impede
• stall