impasse

IPA/ˈɪmpæs/
KK[ˈɪmpˌæs]IPA/ˈɪmpæs/

impasse — noun

1. a situation in a dispute where each side refuses to give ground, bringing all fo

1.名詞B2
釋義

a situation in a dispute where each side refuses to give ground, bringing all forward movement to a halt

例句

After six hours of talks, the union and management reached an impasse over overtime pay.

reach an impasse over [topic]

The two parties remain at an impasse on immigration because neither side will compromise.

be at an impasse on [issue]

同義詞
  • deadlock

    the most direct synonym; used identically and equally common

  • stalemate

    originally from chess; suggests a frustrating standstill where no one can win

  • standoff

    slightly more informal; often used for tense situations where each side waits for the other to back down

反義詞
  • agreement

    the opposite outcome — both sides have reached a deal

  • breakthrough

    a sudden advance that ends the deadlock

文法句型

reach an impasse

be at an impasse

用法筆記

Commonly used with the verbs reach and break, and the preposition at. Frequently appears in political, diplomatic, and labour-relations contexts.

常見錯誤

❌We reached an impasse because he was late.
✅We reached an impasse because neither side would agree on the budget.
💡An impasse requires two opposing positions, not a simple delay or scheduling problem.

2. a street or road that is closed at one end, so that vehicles cannot drive all th

2.名詞C1
釋義

a street or road that is closed at one end, so that vehicles cannot drive all the way through and must turn around to leave

例句

A delivery van entered an impasse and had to reverse out along the narrow lane.

turn into an impasse

The Watanabe house sits at the end of a quiet impasse away from traffic.

同義詞
  • cul-de-sac

    the everyday term; borrowed from French, same meaning

  • dead end

    the most common and informal term for a street with no through road

  • blind alley

    less common; can be used both literally and figuratively

反義詞
  • thoroughfare

    a road that connects one major street to another; the opposite of a dead end

文法句型

turn into an impasse

at the end of an impasse

用法筆記

This literal meaning (a blocked road) is much rarer in modern English than the figurative sense (deadlock). In everyday conversation, terms like dead end or cul-de-sac are far more common for this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌The road was an impasse because of construction.
✅The road was closed because of construction.
💡An impasse is a road with no exit by design, not a road that is temporarily blocked.