stall out
Grind to halt
Stall out means to come to a halt or lose momentum.
An engine stalls out when it stops running unexpectedly.
More often the phrase describes efforts or progress that have ground to a stop: The negotiations stalled out over funding.
My diet stalled out after the first two weeks.
The "out" adds a sense of completeness—not just slowing, but stopping altogether.
Cease to develop
- plateauFlat highland area
- languishWeaken through suffering
- flounderStruggle awkwardly, or seafood
- founderOne who begins something
stalemate · gridlock · impasse · deadlock · bottleneck · stuck · momentum · setback
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
stalemate · talks · walkout · standoff · logjam · holdup · snag · hitch
Emit irregular popping sounds
- misfireFailure to discharge
- dieStop being alive
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
- floodedCovered with water
vapor lock · idle · ignition · throttle · carburetor · fuel injection · spark plug · overheat
stagnate
Cease to develop
founder · stalemate · gridlock · impasse · deadlock · bottleneck · stuck · momentum · setback · slowdown
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
gridlock · stalemate · talks · walkout · standoff · logjam · holdup · snag · hitch · stumbling block
sputter
Emit irregular popping sounds
flooded · vapor lock · idle · ignition · throttle · carburetor · fuel injection · spark plug · overheat · engine
delay
Enforced waiting period
suspend · defer · backburner · setback · derail · budget · funding · timeline · milestone · deadline
- car talkpedal to the metal, hit the gas, step on it, floor it, burn rubber
- doing nothingdo nothing, stand still, sit tight, stay put, keep still