dead ‧ lock /ˈdedlɒk $ -lɑːk/ BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
1 . a situation in which a disagreement cannot be settled SYN stalemate :
The talks have reached a complete deadlock.
a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock
Negotiations ended in deadlock.
2 . British English a ↑ deadbolt
—deadlocked adjective :
Talks between management and unions remain deadlocked.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ no progress
▪ stalemate/deadlock /ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ [uncountable and countable] a situation in which no further progress can be made because two groups or organizations cannot find a way to end a disagreement:
The negotiations ended in deadlock.
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At that point the strike appeared to have reached a stalemate.
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the year-long political deadlock between the two parties
▪ impasse /æmˈpɑːs $ ˈɪmpæs/ [singular] formal a situation in which progress has stopped completely, especially because people cannot agree on what to do next:
The continuing impasse over the budget.
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The situation seemed to have reached an impasse.
▪ grind to a halt to slowly stop making any progress:
The economy seems to be grinding to a halt.
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It was clear that the peace talks had ground to a halt.