Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

come to a grinding halt

idiom

Definition of come to a grinding halt

of a machine
: to stop working or moving forward
  • The machinery came to a grinding halt.
—often used figuratively
  • The project came to a grinding halt.

Word by Word Definitions

grind play grinding

  1. : to reduce to powder or small fragments by friction (as in a mill or with the teeth)

  2. : to wear down, polish, or sharpen by friction

  3. : oppress, harass

  1. : an act of grinding

  2. : the sound of grinding

  3. : dreary, monotonous, or difficult labor, study, or routine

See the full definition of grind
halt play

  1. : to cease marching or journeying

  2. : discontinue, terminate

  3. : to bring to a stop

  1. : stop

  1. : to walk or proceed lamely : limp

  2. : to be in a state of uncertainty or doubt between alternate courses or choices : waver

  3. : to display weakness or imperfection : falter

  1. : having a manner of walking that is impaired by a limp : lame

See the full definition of halt

come to a (grinding) halt

idiom

Definition of come to a (grinding) halt

: stop completely and quickly
  • The project came to a (grinding) halt.
  • The project ground to a halt.

Word by Word Definitions

grind play grinding

  1. : to reduce to powder or small fragments by friction (as in a mill or with the teeth)

  2. : to wear down, polish, or sharpen by friction

  3. : oppress, harass

  1. : an act of grinding

  2. : the sound of grinding

  3. : dreary, monotonous, or difficult labor, study, or routine

See the full definition of grind
halt play

  1. : to cease marching or journeying

  2. : discontinue, terminate

  3. : to bring to a stop

  1. : stop

  1. : to walk or proceed lamely : limp

  2. : to be in a state of uncertainty or doubt between alternate courses or choices : waver

  3. : to display weakness or imperfection : falter

  1. : having a manner of walking that is impaired by a limp : lame

See the full definition of halt

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up come to a grinding halt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

adulation

play

excessive admiration or flattery

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

come to a grinding halt

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games