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Grind to a halt Meaning in English

expression

GRYND tuh HAWLT
grynd too HOLT

Definition

To slow down gradually until stopping completely, often because of a problem or lack of activity.

Usage & Nuances

This idiom is often used to describe things stopping in stages, especially systems (traffic, economies, machines). It's figurative, not for people physically stopping. Less formal, common in news and conversation.

Example Sentences

During the heavy snow, traffic ground to a halt.

basic

The machine suddenly ground to a halt because of an error.

basic

After the funding was cut, the project ground to a halt.

basic

When the internet went down, work at the office ground to a halt.

natural

Plans for the new mall ground to a halt after neighbors complained.

natural

Everything seemed fine until the company’s website ground to a halt on launch day.

natural