grind to a halt

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.