Bring something to a grinding halt
verb phrase
To stop something suddenly or completely.
The sudden snowstorm brought the city's public transport to a grinding halt.
Often appears as...
- bring traffic to a grinding halt
- bring production to a grinding halt
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To stop something suddenly or completely.
The sudden snowstorm brought the city's public transport to a grinding halt.
Often appears as...
- bring traffic to a grinding halt
- bring production to a grinding halt
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Immediate Stop
Used to emphasize an activity or process stopping suddenly and completely, without any gradual decline.
A power outage brought the factory's operations to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Figurative use to describe any action or process ending abruptly, not just physical movement.
When the CEO resigned, it brought the company's expansion to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Effect
Adds drama or severity to a situation, indicating a forceful or impactful end.
The bad news brought the celebration to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 1/3Immediate Stop
Used to emphasize an activity or process stopping suddenly and completely, without any gradual decline.
A power outage brought the factory's operations to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Figurative use to describe any action or process ending abruptly, not just physical movement.
When the CEO resigned, it brought the company's expansion to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Effect
Adds drama or severity to a situation, indicating a forceful or impactful end.
The bad news brought the celebration to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 1/3Immediate Stop
Used to emphasize an activity or process stopping suddenly and completely, without any gradual decline.
A power outage brought the factory's operations to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Figurative use to describe any action or process ending abruptly, not just physical movement.
When the CEO resigned, it brought the company's expansion to a grinding halt.
Pro Tip 3/3Dramatic Effect
Adds drama or severity to a situation, indicating a forceful or impactful end.
The bad news brought the celebration to a grinding halt.
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