standstill
das Erliegen
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to come to a standstill
To stop moving or developing; to come to a complete stop or cease to take place.
Wegen des starken Schneefalls kam der Verkehr zum Erliegen.
Traffic came to a standstill because of the heavy snowfall.
to bring to a standstill
To obstruct or stop something so completely that it can no longer continue or take place.
Der Streik brachte die Produktion zum Erliegen.
The strike brought production to a standstill.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Erliegens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Erliegen | – |
| accusative | das Erliegen | – |
| dative | dem Erliegen | – |
| genitive | des Erliegens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Erliegen' (standstill) is used in these expressions mainly in news, reports, and factual writing. It often refers to traffic, the economy, or public services.
Nach dem Unwetter kam die Wasserversorgung in mehreren Gemeinden zum Erliegen.
After the storm, the water supply in several municipalities came to a standstill.
With 'zum Erliegen kommen' (to come to a standstill), the affected process is the subject. Typical combinations pair 'der Verkehr' (traffic), 'die Produktion' (production), or 'der Handel' (trade) with 'zum Erliegen kommen'; a cause can be added using 'durch' (due to), for example.
Durch den Stromausfall kam die Produktion zum Erliegen.
Production came to a standstill due to the power outage.
With 'etwas zum Erliegen bringen' (to bring something to a standstill), the affected process is in the accusative case. The subject names the person, event, or circumstance that causes the standstill; the phrase 'zum Erliegen' (to a standstill) remains fixed.
Ein technischer Defekt brachte den gesamten Bahnverkehr zum Erliegen.
A technical fault brought all rail traffic to a standstill.
