1
general::
Phrase(s): grind to a halt
Fig. to slow down and stop. • Every day about noon, traffic in town grinds to a halt. • The bus ground to a halt at the corner and someone got off.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Also, come to a grinding halt. Gradually come to a standstill or end. For example, Once the funding stopped, the refurbishing project ground to a halt, or She's come to a grinding halt with that book she's writing. This expression alludes to a clogged engine that gradually stops or a ship that runs aground.
American Heritage Idioms