halt the flow

USAGE SUMMARY

'halt the flow' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe stopping the movement of something, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "The police were able to halt the flow of traffic during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Monsignor Kavanagh's departure, however, did not halt the flow of pledges from the pews, Mr. Zwilling said.

The New York Times

We need to immediately halt the flow of refugees from countries with a significant al-Qaida or Isis presence.

The Guardian

BP hoped this would halt the flow for long enough for it to pump cement into the shaft, sealing it.

The Guardian

They control the chokepoints that can halt the flow of imports and exports that American consumers and businesses depend on.

The New York Times

The hope is that boosting economic welfare in these countries will help halt the flow of refugees into western Europe.

Independent

Instead he wanted to halt the flow of financing to questionable providers at the first sign something was amiss.

The New York Times

One implicit goal is to halt the flow of Chinese patients to better-established hospitals in South Korea.

The New York Times

In addition, Turkey is planning new border security measures to halt the flow of foreign jihadis, including surveillance balloons and West Bank-style fortifications and separation walls.

The Guardian

Let's put it this way – what exactly will it take to convince ministers here of the need to halt the flow of UK arms to Riyadh?

The Guardian - Opinion

CONTROVERSY is already raging around the Bush administration's bold new initiative to halt the flow of illegal substances into the United States for good.

The New York Times

But a nuclear Iran could easily coerce Saudi Arabia and others to slow or halt the flow of oil to the West.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "halt the flow" to describe stopping tangible things like water, traffic or money, but also for intangible things like information or ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "halt the flow" when a reduction, rather than a complete stop, is intended. Consider alternatives such as "curtail the flow" or "reduce the flow" when a partial cessation is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "halt the flow" functions as a verb phrase that typically acts as the predicate of a sentence. It expresses the action of stopping or ceasing the movement of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halt the flow" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of stopping something's movement or progression. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and common appearance across various sources. Its neutral tone and clear meaning make it suitable for a range of contexts, from news reporting to formal documents. When considering alternatives, options like "stop the flow" or "curtail the flow" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis. However, it's crucial to ensure the intended scope of the action aligns with the complete cessation implied by "halt", as opposed to merely reducing or impeding the flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop the flow

Replaces "halt" with "stop", a more common and less formal synonym.

curtail the flow

Substitutes "halt" with "curtail", suggesting a reduction rather than a complete stop.

impede the flow

Uses "impede" in place of "halt", indicating obstruction or hindrance.

arrest the flow

Replaces "halt" with "arrest", implying a sudden and forceful stop.

stem the tide

Uses a metaphorical expression, changing "flow" to "tide", implying a large or overwhelming movement.

check the progress

Shifts focus from the movement itself to the advancement or progress being made.

block the passage

Emphasizes the obstruction of a route or channel.

disrupt the process

Focuses on interrupting an ongoing sequence of actions or operations.

bring to a standstill

Replaces the entire phrase with an expression that emphasizes complete cessation of movement.

put a stop to

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey the idea of ceasing an activity or movement.

FAQs

How can I use "halt the flow" in a sentence?

You can use "halt the flow" to describe stopping the movement of something, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "The dam will halt the flow of water", or "The new regulations aim to halt the flow of illegal funds".

What are some alternatives to "halt the flow"?

Some alternatives include "stop the flow", "curtail the flow", or "impede the flow" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "halt the flow" formal or informal?

"Halt the flow" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though "stop the flow" may be perceived as slightly more informal.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "halt the flow"?

It is appropriate to use "halt the flow" when you want to describe a complete cessation of movement or transmission, whether it's a physical substance like water or a metaphorical concept like information. If you mean to only reduce the flow, use something like "decrease the flow" instead.