"a complete standstill" 表示完全停滞/彻底停顿的状态,强调某事物从“运行/进展”突然或彻底转为“静止/停止”,没有任何继续的可能或迹象。
字面拆解:
"complete"(完全的):强化程度,说明“停滞”是100%的、毫无例外的;
"standstill"(名词):原本指“静止状态”(源于动词短语"stand still",即“站着不动”),引申为“(进程、活动的)停滞”。
该短语通常与表示“导致停滞”的动词搭配,常见结构为:
come to a complete standstill:(主动)“陷入彻底停滞”(强调自然或突然发生的停滞);
The traffic came to a complete standstill after the accident.(事故后交通彻底瘫痪。)
The factory came to a complete standstill when the power went out.(停电后工厂完全停工。)
be brought to a complete standstill:(被动)“被导致彻底停滞”(强调外部因素造成的停滞);
The project was brought to a complete standstill due to lack of funding.(项目因资金不足彻底停滞。)
The event was brought to a complete standstill by bad weather.(活动因恶劣天气彻底终止。)
grind to a complete standstill:(比喻)“逐渐陷入彻底停滞”(强调过程缓慢但最终完全停止,常隐含“艰难”);
The economy ground to a complete standstill during the recession.(经济在衰退期间逐渐彻底停滞。)
该短语可用于描述任何有“进展/运动”属性的事物,例如:
交通:Rush-hour traffic often grinds to a complete standstill on this highway.(高峰时这条高速经常彻底堵死。)
工作/项目:Our team’s work has come to a complete standstill while we wait for approval.(我们团队等待审批期间,工作完全停了。)
活动/事件:The concert came to a complete standstill when the singer fell ill.(歌手生病后,演唱会彻底中断。)
机器/系统:The computer system brought the entire office to a complete standstill.(电脑系统故障导致整个办公室彻底停摆。)
"a complete standstill" 是名词短语,不能直接作动词用,需搭配上述动词短语;
同义词:"a total standstill"(完全停滞),用法一致;
反义词:"in full swing"(如火如荼地进行)。
总结:"a complete standstill" 是描述“彻底停止”的常用短语,重点在“完全性”,适用于各种需要强调“毫无进展”的场景。记住核心搭配(come to/be brought to/grind to + a complete standstill),就能轻松使用啦!