breaking the deadlock
Resolving the stalemate
Breaking the deadlock is resolving an impasse where opposing sides are stuck and no progress can be made.
A deadlock occurs when two forces are equally matched or when parties refuse to compromise.
To break it is to find a way forward—through negotiation, a deciding vote, or some external intervention: A last-minute compromise broke the deadlock.
The chairman's vote broke the deadlock on the committee.
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- logjamObstruction halting flow
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- clear the airDispel tension through discussion
peace talks · gridlock · breakthrough · arbitration · standstill · mediation · consensus-building · deadlock · bridge the gap · diplomacy · back channel · compromise · meeting of minds · conciliation · olive branch · negotiation · bottleneck · bargaining
breaking the deadlockstonewalling
Deliberately refusing to respond
digging in · filibustering · throwing up roadblocks · gumming up the works
breaking the deadlockdoing nothing
Absence of activity
standing pat · sitting on one's hands · kicking the can down the road · holding firm
break, breaking, breaks, broken, breaker, breakers, breakage, outbreak, breakout