come to a grinding halt
phrase
of a machine
: to stop working or moving forward
The machinery came to a grinding halt.
—often used figurativelyThe project came to a grinding halt.
Cite this Entry
“Come to a grinding halt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20to%20a%20grinding%20halt. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
