noun

logjam

impasse, deadlock, logjam

The river was blocked by a huge logjam.

The river was blocked by a huge logjam.

Negotiations have reached a logjam.

Negotiations have reached a logjam.

a logjam ((in sth.)) a deadlock in something The talks ended in a logjam.

to break a logjam to resolve a deadlock A compromise helped break the logjam.

Synonyms: impasse, deadlock, stalemate

From 'log' (a piece of a tree trunk) and 'jam' (to get stuck). It literally refers to logs jamming a river.

Picture logs jamming a river, stopping all movement. Apply this image to any situation that is stuck and cannot progress.

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