grind to a halt

Idioms  

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

See Examples For:

grind to a halt

Another prison governor who also works in the north of England told the BBC that something needs to be done about overcrowding and prisoner recalls, or "the criminal justice system will grind to a halt".

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Without the armies of aides, interns, and volunteers who answer phones in Capitol Hill offices, draft bills, and staff campaigns, lawmaking and reelection bids across the country would grind to a halt.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026

Many scenes grind to a halt with the shy girl too terrified to speak.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

The breakneck rally in space stocks looked set to grind to a halt, though, after a Blue Origin rocket blew up late Thursday.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

Managers may truly believe that, without their unremitting efforts, all work would quickly grind to a halt.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---