Definition & Meaning of "Grind to a halt"

grind to a halt

/ɡɹˈaɪnd tʊ ɐ hˈɒlt/

/ɡɹˈaɪnd tʊ ɐ hˈɑːlt/

to grind to a halt

PHRASE

to slowly come to a complete stop after gradually losing speed or power

to [grind] to a halt definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "grind to a halt" and when to use it?

The idiom "grind to a halt" means to gradually slow down and eventually stop completely. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is often used to describe a situation or process that has stopped unexpectedly and suddenly. The phrase often implies that the event or process in question was moving slowly or gradually before stopping completely.

to gradually slow down and come to a complete stop

What is the origin of the idiom "grind to a halt" and when to use it?

The idiom "grind to a halt" originated from the literal sense of grinding, a process where machinery or objects experience friction, resistance, or impediments that cause them to slow down and eventually stop. This phrase transitioned into a figurative expression to describe any activity or process that gradually loses momentum and comes to a complete stop. It is often used to convey a sudden or unexpected cessation of movement or progress.

Example

The meeting started smoothly but eventually ground to a halt due to disagreements among team members.

The economic downturn caused many construction projects to grind to a halt.

The traffic on the highway began to grind to a halt as a result of a major accident.

They have been working hard, but the company's growth has ground to a halt in recent months.

The negotiations between the two parties ground to a halt as neither was willing to compromise.

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