standstill

American  

[stand-stil] / ˈstændˌstɪl /

noun

1. a state of cessation of movement or action; halt; stop.

   The ball rolled to a standstill.

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standstill British  

/ ˈstændˌstɪl /

noun

1. a complete cessation of movement; stop; halt

   the car came to a standstill

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standstill Idioms  

1. see come to a halt (standstill).

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Etymology

Origin of standstill

First recorded in 1695–1705; noun use of verb phrase stand still

Example Sentences

After what felt like half an hour but might have been less, Yao cut the engine and paddled us to a standstill.

From Literature

“They’re really at a standstill until there are new dollars available,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Dangerously cold weather is spreading across the U.S. and could bring much of the country to a standstill over the next several days.

From Barron's

Online businesses that rely on mobile money transactions were most affected by the blackout, with some coming to a standstill while others reverted to cash-based transactions.

From BBC

So many responded that traffic jams have brought roads in this part of rural Chongqing in south-west China to a standstill.

From BBC

Related Words

• dead end
• deadlock
• impasse
• stalemate