gridlock
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A state of severe traffic congestion where vehicles cannot move: A situation on roads where traffic is completely stopped because intersections are blocked, preventing any movement in any direction.
- A situation of complete standstill or deadlock: By extension, a state in which progress is impossible because opposing parties are equally powerful or because of complex rules and procedures.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The accident caused total gridlock in the city center for hours.
- Political gridlock in the senate prevented the bill from being passed.
Advanced Usage
- "to end/break the gridlock": To resolve a situation of complete deadlock.
- The new mayor promised to break the gridlock on the city's main highways.
- "to be in gridlock": To be in a state of complete standstill.
- The negotiations are in gridlock, with neither side willing to compromise.
Variants and Related Words
- Gridlocked (adj): Describing a state of complete traffic standstill or deadlock.
- The downtown area was completely gridlocked during rush hour.
Synonyms
- Deadlock: A situation, typically one involving opposing parties, in which no progress can be made.
- Standstill: A situation or condition in which there is no movement or activity at all.
- Impasse: A situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement.
Related Phrases
- Traffic gridlock: The original and most common usage, specifying a complete stoppage of vehicular traffic.
- The festival downtown created a traffic gridlock for miles.
- Political/Legislative gridlock: A deadlock in government where laws cannot be passed.
- The divided government led to years of political gridlock.
Noun
- a traffic jam so bad that no movement is possible