deadlock

/ˈdedlɒk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdedlɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈded-ˌläk/ (ame, mw)

deadlock — noun

  • deadlocksingular
  • deadlocksplural

1. a point in a discussion, negotiation, or dispute at which both sides refuse to m

1.名詞C1
釋義

a point in a discussion, negotiation, or dispute at which both sides refuse to move from their positions, so nothing further can be decided.

例句

Talks between the union and the hospital reached a deadlock over weekend pay.

collocation: talks reach a deadlock over [issue]

After ten hours of debate, the city council was still in deadlock about the new bus routes.

pattern: be in deadlock about [issue]

同義詞
  • stalemate

    very close in meaning; slightly more common in political and chess contexts

  • impasse

    more formal; stresses the lack of any way forward

  • standoff

    often suggests a tense or hostile pause, especially with police or armies

反義詞
  • agreement

    the result reached when a deadlock is broken

  • breakthrough

    the moment when progress finally happens after a deadlock

文法句型

in deadlock

reach a deadlock

break the deadlock

用法筆記

Subject is usually a discussion, set of talks, or institution — not a single person. Common with verbs 'reach', 'break', 'end in', and the preposition 'over' or 'about' introducing the disputed issue.

常見錯誤

❌Joon is in a deadlock with his brother.
✅Joon and his brother have reached a deadlock.
💡'deadlock' usually describes the situation between two sides, not a state one person is 'in' with another.
❌They had a deadlock for the new salary.
✅They reached a deadlock over the new salary.
💡use 'reach a deadlock', not 'have', and use 'over' to introduce the issue.

2. in sport, a stage of a match when the two teams or players have equal points and

2.名詞C1
釋義

in sport, a stage of a match when the two teams or players have equal points and no one has scored the winning goal or point yet.

例句

Mateo broke the deadlock with a header in the 78th minute.

collocation: break the deadlock with a [goal type]

The match was still in deadlock at half-time, with the score at one goal each.

pattern: be in deadlock at [time]

同義詞
  • stalemate

    interchangeable in most sport reports

  • tie

    more general; often the score itself, not the stage of the match

  • draw

    British; refers to a finished match with equal scores, not a mid-game tie

文法句型

break the deadlock

end the deadlock

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about a tied score in a match, not a disagreement. Almost always paired with verbs of scoring ('break', 'end') or with the preposition 'in' describing the state of the match.

常見錯誤

❌The team won the deadlock in the second half.
✅The team broke the deadlock in the second half.
💡you 'break' or 'end' a deadlock; you cannot 'win' one because nobody is ahead yet.

3. a strong lock built into the side of a door that you can only open or close with

3.名詞C2
釋義

a strong lock built into the side of a door that you can only open or close with a key, often used as extra protection against burglars.

例句

Esme had a deadlock fitted on the front door after the break-in last winter.

collocation: have a deadlock fitted

Most insurance companies in the UK want a deadlock on every outside door.

pattern: a deadlock on [door]

同義詞
  • deadbolt

    American English equivalent; very close in meaning

  • mortice lock

    British; refers to the broader category of locks set inside the door edge

文法句型

fit a deadlock

a deadlock on the door

用法筆記

Concrete physical object, not a situation. Subject of verbs like 'fit', 'install', 'open with a key'. Common in British English home-security and insurance contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I deadlocked the door.
✅I locked the door with the deadlock.
💡'deadlock' is a noun in standard English; the verb form is rare and most learners should avoid it.