Phrase guide

grind to a halt

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To come to a standstill, or cease to be productive or make progress, due to an obstacle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • Work on the new high-rise ground to a halt as contractors tried to deal with all the red tape.
  • After the visionary's death, work on his ideas ground to a halt.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

be unable to move further

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The car bogged down in the sand

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get stuck, bog down, mire

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: stand still

History

Etymology

From windmills. To stop a windmill from turning too quickly, such as during a strong gust of wind, excess corn would be poured between the grinding stone (top stone) and the nether stone (bottom stone). The extra pressure would cause the stones to slow down or literally "grind to a halt", and thereby stop the windmill from turning.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pysähtyä — to bring to a stop or halt
  • French: se gripper — to bring to a stop or halt
  • French: se bloquer — to bring to a stop or halt
  • French: se paralyser — to bring to a stop or halt
  • French: s'immobiliser — to bring to a stop or halt
  • French: s'arrêter net — to bring to a stop or halt
  • Māori: urutū — to bring to a stop or halt
  • Russian: остановиться (ostanovitʹsja) — to bring to a stop or halt