versanden
Translation
to silt up, to sand up, to fizzle out, to grind to a halt
Examples
Der Hafen ist langsam versandet.
The harbor has slowly silted up.
Die Diskussion ist leider versandet.
Unfortunately, the discussion just fizzled out.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((silts up/fizzles out)) sth. silts up / fizzles out Der Plan ist im Nichts versandet.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to grind to a halt (zum Erliegen kommen), to die down (einschlafen); Antonyms: to flourish (florieren)
Etymology
Comes from 'ver-' + 'Sand' (sand). The literal meaning is 'to be covered in sand,' which extends metaphorically to projects or conversations that lose momentum and stop.
Memory Tips
Picture a conversation slowly filling up with 'Sand' until no one can talk anymore. It has 'versandet'.