Definition

1. 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

1. a traffic jam so bad that no movement is possible