deadlock
/ˈdɛdlɒk
/noun
1 [in singular] A situation, typically one involving opposing parties, in which no progress can be made: an attempt to break the deadlock...
- Technological advances in machine guns and artillery had caused such a stalemate on the battlefield that all parties involved were looking for ways to break the deadlock.
- Ballina and Castlebar Town Councils are due to hold further meetings in the coming weeks after initial discussions failed to break the deadlock between management and councillors.
- On April 16, negotiators called in mediators to help break the deadlock, and the next day Taha returned to Khartoum to consult with President Omar el-Bashir.
Synonyms
stalemate, impasse, checkmate, stand-off;
standstill, halt, stop, stoppage, cessation, full stop, dead end
1.1A situation in a game or match where the scores are level: Ashton broke the deadlock with a penalty after 15 minutes...
- Consequently, the teams failed to break the deadlock at half time.
- Five minutes into the second half the Derbyshire outfit broke the deadlock following a disputed free-kick.
- Eventually, man of the match Declan Burke broke the deadlock.
2British A type of lock requiring a key to open and close it, as distinct from a spring lock.In general, this means five-lever mortice locks or deadlocks on doors and locks on all accessible windows....
- Standard security equipment has undoubtedly improved in recent years, importantly including deadlocks, electronic immobilisers and alarms.
- All 21 vans are finished in red with the company's livery as well as being boarded out and fitted with deadlocks and roof-bars.
Synonyms
bolt, lock, latch, catch, fastening, fastener;
Scottish sneck, snib
verb [with object]
1 [no object] Cause (a situation or opposing parties) to come to a point where no progress can be made because of fundamental disagreement: the meeting is deadlocked...
- And last night's council tax-setting meeting had appeared deadlocked after all three party budgets were voted out.
- Dukada then declared the meeting deadlocked because all political parties did not agree.
- Arguably, the parties would have remained deadlocked if the Ferrelli Application had not been commenced, as the primary objective of the Cantelmi Application was to maintain the status quo.
Synonyms
tie, draw, dead heat
1.1 (be deadlocked) (Of a game or match) be tied, with the score level.So we're just sitting there watching TV and nothing is really happening, the game is deadlocked at fourteen to fourteen and it's gotten pretty out of hand with the penalties....
- Although the game was deadlocked at 4-4 after the fourth inning, Flaherty's sixth-inning blast put the Yankees firmly in the driving seat.
- Scotland had to beat Italy to stay in the race, and with only two minutes left the game was deadlocked goalless.
2British Secure (a door) with a deadlock: you can deadlock any exit door from the outside...
- I always thought that when I was on the inside, if I twisted the handle up, it would be deadlocking the door, or locking it somehow.
- I stood there watching him for five seconds and knew he couldn't get out so ran out and deadlocked the front door.
- Police were interviewed on radio warning residents not to deadlock doors overnight without leaving a key in the inside lock.
Rhymes
- shutter priority
- shutter release
- shutter speed
- shut the door on (or to)
- shut the stable door after the horse has bolted
- shuttle
- shuttlecock
- shuttlecraft
- shuttle diplomacy
- shuttler
- shuttle run
- shuttle service
- shut up (or shut someone up)
- shut up shop
- shut your face (or mouth or trap)!
- shvitz
- shy
- shyer
- Shylock
- shyly
- shyness
- shypoo
- shyster
- si
- Siachen Glacier