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

“A lot of things that bog down mining is access to roads and water, but that’s already established here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

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 • Nov. 20, 2025

For now, many expect that elevated uncertainty will bog down economic activity, the Fed said.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

But the weight of expectations is a heavy thing to bear and they bog down this capable movie version on its way to liftoff.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

That is what they have in common with the passive constructions that also bog down these examples, like was affirmed and were used.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• halt
• hang up
• impede
• stall