come to a standstill

The expression come to a standstill is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the come to a standstill idiom.

Meaning of "come to a standstill"

Meaning

The idiom “come to a standstill” is used to describe a situation in which progress or activity halts, stops or slows down significantly. It is used when describing any type of progression, from physical movement to the advancement of a project or plan.

Etymology

The phrase “come to a standstill” has been in use since at least the 16th century. The phrase “standstill” can be traced back to the Middle English word “standstille”, which means “silence” or “cessation of motion”. The phrase “come to a standstill” conjures images of something steadily progressing, only to suddenly freeze and stop abruptly.

Usage

The idiom “come to a standstill” is used to describe a situation in which activity or progression has ceased abruptly or slowed down significantly. It is used when discussing any type of progress, be it physical movement or project advancement. It may be used to describe both positive and negative scenarios. For example, it could be used to describe an unexpected positive outcome, such as when a traffic jam comes to a standstill and drivers get to their destinations quickly, or a negative scenario, such as when a project is delayed and comes to a standstill.

Example Sentences

• “The project came to a standstill when funding was suddenly cut.”
• “The traffic came to a standstill after the accident.”
• “The negotiations came to a standstill when both sides could not agree on a compromise.”
• “The campaign came to a standstill when the candidate dropped out of the race.”

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.