grind to a halt

1. Also, come to a grinding halt. Gradually come to a standstill or end. For example, Once the funding stopped, the refurbishing project ground to a halt, or She's come to a grinding halt with that book she's writing. This expression alludes to a clogged engine that gradually stops or a ship that runs aground.

Example Sentences

A subplot in Season 2 sees one of George’s steel mills grind to a halt when its workers go on strike, demanding eight-hour workdays and better living conditions.

From Salon

The unanswered question is whether we are facing a stagnating economy, which might trigger an interest rate cut, or the dreaded stagflation, in which the economy grinds to a halt but inflation persists.

From Los Angeles Times

But since then, talks have seemed to grind to a halt amid claims on both sides that the deal had been breached.

From BBC

It was Jamie Smith who ensured there were no dangers of them grinding to a halt thereafter.

From BBC

Roads collapse, drains overflow, infrastructure is overwhelmed and traffic grinds to a halt.

From BBC