run aground
The phrase "run aground" originates from maritime language but is also used metaphorically to describe situations where progress is halted.
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Definition
B2Nautical
(technical)When a vessel becomes stuck due to shallow water or an underwater obstacle.
Example
- The fishing boat ran aground on a hidden reef.
B2Metaphorical
(figurative)To encounter obstacles that prevent progress in a project or plan.
Example
- The project ran aground due to lack of funding.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "run aground":
run into the groundrun adriftrun afoul ofrun overgo to groundmake landfallcast adriftland oncome a cropperrun downrun into