grind to a halt

1. Also, come to a grinding halt. Gradually come to a standstill or end. For example, Once the funding stopped, the refurbishing project ground to a halt, or She's come to a grinding halt with that book she's writing. This expression alludes to a clogged engine that gradually stops or a ship that runs aground.

Example Sentences

“I don’t know who—” My words grind to a halt.

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US government agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programs hang in the balance.

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If they are inserted all the way in, neutrons can’t travel between the fuel rods and the reactor grinds to a halt.

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But recent figures show London's housebuilding has been grinding to a halt, leading to a reduction in the affordable housing quota.

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The government has been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to pass a bill to keep federal departments and agencies funded past the end of the last financial year on September 30.

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