grind to a halt

phrase

of a machine
: to stop working or moving forward
The machinery slowly ground to a halt.
—often used figuratively
Without more money, work on the project will soon grind to a halt.

Examples of grind to a halt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Any interesting chemical reactions enclosed there would eat through the raw materials and grind to a halt. — ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 The ceasefire prompted a surge in crude shipments through the vital waterway where traffic had largely ground to a halt during the conflict, sending oil prices sharply lower. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 July 2026 Several have commented on improved performance since the new developers took charge, with improved frame rates and the ability to load bigger cities without the simulation grinding to a halt. — Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Rhymes for grind to a halt

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Browse Nearby Words

grindstone
grind to a halt
grin from ear to ear
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grind to a halt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grind%20to%20a%20halt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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