deadlock

/'dedlɔk/

Thân thiện

The two sides reached a deadlock in their discussions.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible: A state of complete standstill or stalemate, typically because opposing parties are equally powerful or unwilling to compromise, preventing any forward movement.
   • A complete stoppage of activity: A condition where all movement or progress has ceased entirely.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The negotiations reached a deadlock when neither side would budge on the key issue.
  • A political deadlock in parliament prevented the new law from being passed.
  • The project is at a deadlock until we receive further funding.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to break a deadlock": To find a way to resolve a stalemate and allow progress to resume.
  • A compromise was proposed to break the deadlock in the talks.
• "to be in deadlock" / "to be at a deadlock": To be in a state of complete impasse.
  • The committee has been in deadlock for weeks over the budget.
• "to end in deadlock": To conclude without a resolution or agreement.
  • The lengthy discussions ended in deadlock.

Variants and Related Words

• Deadlocked (adjective): Describing a situation that is in a state of deadlock.
  • The jury was deadlocked and could not reach a verdict.
• Impasse (noun): A very close synonym for deadlock, meaning a situation with no escape or progress.
• Stalemate (noun): Often used interchangeably with deadlock, especially in conflicts or negotiations.

Synonyms

• Impasse: A situation in which no progress is possible.
• Stalemate: A position counting as a draw, in which a player is not in check but cannot move except into check; (by extension) any deadlock.
• Standstill: A situation or condition without movement or activity.
• Gridlock: A situation of severe traffic congestion; (by extension) any complete inability to proceed.

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Political deadlock: A stalemate in government or legislative processes.
• Negotiation deadlock: A point in discussions where agreement seems impossible.
• To resolve a deadlock: To find a solution to the impasse.
• To lead to deadlock: To cause a situation to become stalled.

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of deadlock is a complete standstill where further action is impossible without a change in circumstances or attitudes. It strongly implies that forces are equally balanced in opposition. While often used in political, legal, or business contexts, it can describe any situation where progress is completely halted.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
   • reached an impasse on the negotiations

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dead end
• impasse
• stalemate
• standstill