arrested development

USAGE SUMMARY

"arrested development" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or person in which progress has stopped or stagnated. For example, you could say, "His career suffered from arrested development after he graduated from college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Arrested Development!

The Guardian - Music

"Arrested Development," but only slightly.

The New York Times

Call it arrested development.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Arrested Development was superb.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Arrested Development was a logical next step.

Independent

She's probably got arrested development".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Arrested Development: Michael's love affair with Rita.

Huffington Post

"'Arrested Development: The Movie.'".

Los Angeles Times

Arrested development or something.

The Guardian

'Arrested Development' begins this Sunday on Netflix.

Independent

Arrested Development, Tue, 9pm, FX.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arrested development" to describe a person, ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to emotional, intellectual, or physical development to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "arrested development" solely implies immaturity. It can also refer to specific skills or knowledge that haven't progressed beyond a certain point due to lack of opportunity or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrested development" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing a state of incomplete or halted progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying various nouns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arrested development" is a common and correct noun phrase used to describe a state of stalled or incomplete progress, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register and serves the purpose of conveying stagnation or a failure to reach full potential. While alternatives like "stunted growth" or "delayed maturity" exist, "arrested development" carries a specific connotation of premature cessation. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the area of development being referenced. Remember that confusing the nuance and scope of this phrase will lead to misinterpretation. Be smart and use the phrase well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stunted growth

Focuses on the idea of physical or metaphorical growth being impeded.

delayed maturity

Emphasizes the aspect of not reaching full maturity at the expected time.

emotional immaturity

Specifically addresses the lack of emotional development.

psychological fixation

Highlights a persistent focus on an earlier stage of development.

developmental lag

Suggests a slower pace of development compared to the norm.

incomplete progress

Broader term indicating that development has not reached its conclusion.

halted advancement

Stresses the idea that forward movement has been brought to a stop.

stalled progression

Similar to halted advancement, but emphasizes the process rather than the result.

premature cessation of development

A more formal way of stating that development has stopped earlier than expected.

failure to thrive

Often used in medical contexts, it indicates a lack of proper growth or development.

FAQs

How can "arrested development" be used in a sentence?

You can use "arrested development" to describe a situation or a person, such as: "The project suffered from "arrested development" due to budget cuts", or "His emotional "arrested development" made it difficult for him to form meaningful relationships".

What does "arrested development" mean in the context of personal growth?

In personal growth, "arrested development" refers to a state where an individual's emotional, psychological, or intellectual progress has been halted or significantly delayed, preventing them from reaching full maturity or potential. This can sometimes be referred to as "emotional immaturity".

Are "arrested development" and "regression" the same thing?

"Arrested development" implies a halt in progress, while "regression" suggests a return to an earlier stage. Therefore, while related, they describe different processes. "Arrested development" means the progress stopped, "regression" means it went backwards.

What are some signs of "arrested development" in adults?

Signs of "arrested development" in adults can include difficulty managing responsibilities, struggling with emotional regulation, avoiding commitment, and exhibiting behaviors more typical of adolescents. This state of emotional immaturity can be also referred to as "delayed maturity".