reach an impasse

reach an impasse

To come to a point past which no further progress is able to be made. After three days of negotiations, we reached an impasse when it came to the matter of increased pay for staff. A: "My client is absolutely unwilling to compromise on this issue." B: "Then it looks as though we've reached an impasse."
See also: impasse, reach
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reach an impasse

to progress to the point that a barrier stops further progress. When negotiations with management reached an impasse, the union went on strike. The discussion reached an impasse and no one was able to propose a compromise.
See also: impasse, reach
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • at a dead end
  • not get anywhere
  • up a blind alley
  • bring (someone or something) to a dead end
  • bring to a dead end
  • pipeline
  • get (one) nowhere
  • get nowhere
  • get somebody nowhere/not get somebody anywhere
  • be under way
References in periodicals archive
City Manager Mike Bartholomew this week said officials will keep negotiating with the downtown theaters owner, Dhitu Bhagwakar, during the next month or so, or until both sides reach an impasse.
Don't expect imminent eminent domain on Des Plaines Theatre
Spirit flight attendants said they are willing to go to great lengths to reach an agreement.The union said that 98.4% voted to authorise a strike should negotiations reach an impasse.
Spirit Airlines flight attendants stage "send-off" for union team
* The Palestinians reach an impasse, right at a day of scheduled talks, with Hamas refusing Fatah's nomination of Salam Fayyad to continue his premiership.
Daybreak: Unity Blues
He noted that even in the camps of Tindouf where the polisario practices all forms of oppression, the front has reach an impasse following the mass return of many of its leaders to Morocco, besides the welcoming of the Moroccan autonomy initiative by the Sahrawi populations held captive in the camps and the emergence of the Khat Achahid movement and Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud.
Polisario despoiled Sahrawis' right, set itself as their representative by taking Algerian propaganda as basis, member of CORCAS
Although talks did reach an impasse in the last 24 hours, there have been telephone calls between the two parties over the Dane's move.
Football: Progress made on Arnesen talks
If they reach an impasse she will chair a meeting between the two sides."
'WHEEL STEP IN'
It is wise to come prepared with a translated glossary of key words and concepts, so that help is at hand when you reach an impasse. Visual aids, such as graphs and flow charts can be especially useful, because in many cases you will find yourself negotiating deals with members of the technical staff of an enterprise.
Six strategies for doing business in the former Soviet Republics