Basic Details
Word: Impasse
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A situation where no progress can be made or a deadlock occurs.
Synonyms: Deadlock, stalemate, gridlock
Antonyms: Agreement, breakthrough, resolution
Idioms and Phrases
- At an impasse: Used to describe a situation where no further progress can be made. Example: "The negotiations were at an impasse, and both sides needed to rethink their positions."
- Breaking the impasse: Finding a solution to a situation where no progress was possible. Example: "After hours of discussion, the team finally found a way to break the impasse."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The discussion about the new rules reached an impasse when neither side would compromise.
Example 2: The council's meeting ended in an impasse, as members could not agree on the budget proposal.
Example 3: To solve the impasse, the team brought in a mediator to help facilitate the conversation.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "impasse" originates from French, where it meant "a no-passage"? It reflects the idea of being stuck without a way forward!
Famous Quote
"There is no problem so great that it cannot be solved by the team working together." Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "impasse" mean?
a) A successful agreement
b) A situation where no progress can be made
c) A type of food
d) A place to relax
Answer: b) A situation where no progress can be made
2. Which of these is a synonym of "impasse"?
a) Agreement
b) Stalemate
c) Resolution
d) Solution
Answer: b) Stalemate
3. Which word is the opposite of "impasse"?
a) Agreement
b) Stuck
c) Conflict
d) Breakdown
Answer: a) Agreement
4. Which sentence uses "impasse" correctly?
a) They reached an impasse and decided to stop working.
b) She reached the impasse and sang a song.
c) The impasse baked a lovely cake.
d) He drove past the impasse very quickly.
Answer: a) They reached an impasse and decided to stop working.
5. What does it mean to "break the impasse"?
a) To create a problem
b) To find a solution to a deadlock
c) To go backwards
d) To make a promise
Answer: b) To find a solution to a deadlock
