standstill

[stand-stil]

noun

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

   The ball rolled to a standstill.

standstill

/ ˈstændˌstɪl /

noun

1. a complete cessation of movement; stop; halt

   the car came to a standstill

Word History and Origins

Origin of standstill¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see come to a halt (standstill).

Example Sentences

Footage on local media show overhead network cables swaying as vehicles come to a standstill the moment the 7.5 magnitude quake struck.

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"Our business is at a standstill," one motorbike taxi driver told the BBC, as many others pushed their vehicles to join the petrol lines amidst chaotic scenes in Bamako.

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Its production lines have been at a standstill since the start of September, following the attack.

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It has 1,250 employees mostly based in the West Midlands, but much like JLR's factories, its main plants in Coventry and Kidderminster have been at a virtual standstill for weeks.

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Most of the Asahi Group's factories in Japan have been at a standstill since Monday, after the attack hit its ordering and delivering system, the firm has said.

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Related Words

• dead end 
• deadlock 
• impasse 
• stalemate