bring to a standstill

bring (someone or something) to a standstill

To cause a person or thing to stop. The speeding police car, with its flashing lights and siren, brought all the other drivers to a standstill. A sudden reduction in funding brought our research to a standstill.See also: bring, standstill

bring something to a standstill

to cause a process or a job to reach a point at which it must stop. The accident brought the work to a standstill. The strike brought construction to a standstill.See also: bring, standstill