standstill

/ˈstændstɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstændstɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstan(d)-ˌstil/ (ame, mw)

standstill — noun

1. a situation where all movement, work, or activity has stopped completely, often

1.名詞B2
釋義

a situation where all movement, work, or activity has stopped completely, often because something unexpected or difficult has happened that prevents things from continuing forward.

例句

Highway traffic came to a standstill after a delivery truck overturned near the bridge.

collocation: come to a standstill

Peace talks reached a standstill when neither side would agree to the main terms.

同義詞
  • halt

    more temporary and can also be used as a verb; 'a halt to fighting' vs 'at a standstill' which implies no forward progress at all

  • deadlock

    specifically about disagreements or negotiations where neither side will move, not used for physical movement

  • impasse

    more formal than 'standstill', used mainly in discussion or negotiation contexts

  • stalemate

    originally from chess; suggests a situation where neither side can win, often used in competitions or conflicts

反義詞
  • progress

    forward movement or development toward a goal

  • activity

    a state where things are happening or moving

  • flow

    smooth, continuous movement, especially of traffic or information

文法句型

standstill (noun, typically uncountable)

用法筆記

Commonly used with verbs that describe entering or causing this state: come to, reach, be at, bring [sth] to, and grind to. It is almost always used in the singular.

常見錯誤

❌The project standstill for three months.
✅The project was at a standstill for three months.
💡'Standstill' is a noun, not a verb; it needs a verb like 'be at', 'come to', or 'reach'.