deadlock
n[C, U]
complete failure to reach agreement or to settle a quarrel or grievance 僵局
The negotiations have reached deadlock. 谈判陷入僵局.
We can only make minor concessions, but it might break the deadlock, ie allow a compromise. 我们只能做些较小的让步, 但这就可能打破僵局.
Do you remember one afternoon ten years ago when I came to your house and borrowed a necklace of yours? Pierre, my husband, was working in a government office. We'd been invited to a ball at the palace so I needed to borrow some jewellery.