1
general::
Also, come to a standstill. Stop, either permanently or temporarily. For example, The sergeant ordered the men to come to a halt, or With the strike, construction came to a standstill. Both terms employ come to in the sense of "arrive at" or "reach," a usage dating from the 10th century. Also see COME TO, def. 2.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): come to a halt
to stop; to slow down and stop. • Slowly, the train came to a halt. • After the bus came to a halt, more people got on.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs