phrasal verb · formal
break the deadlock
UK/breɪk ðə ˈdɛdlɒk/US/breɪk ðə ˈdɛdlɑːk/break the DEAD·lock
to bring an end to a situation in which no progress can be made, especially in negotiations
Examples
“The mediator helped break the deadlock between the two sides.”
“A compromise was reached that finally broke the deadlock.”
“Innovative proposals may break the deadlock in stalled reforms.”
Band 8 sentence
“Intensive negotiations over three days ultimately broke the deadlock and prevented a strike.”
Collocations
- break the deadlock between A and B
- attempt to break the deadlock
Word family
Common mistakes
break the block→break the deadlock
solve the deadlock→break the deadlock / resolve the deadlock
Say it for a higher band
5break the block→6reach a compromise→7+break the deadlock
Synonyms
reach a compromise
find a breakthrough
Easily confused
reach a compromise
“After long talks they finally reached a compromise.”
find a breakthrough
“Researchers found a breakthrough that could change treatment.”
Related words
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