GETTING STUCK
stuck /stʌk/ (adj):
#1. [not before noun] unable to move or to be moved.
The wheels were stuck in the mud.
This drawer keeps getting stuck.
She got the key stuck in the lock.
I can't get out - I'm stuck.
I couldn’t budge the drawer - it was stuck fast.
The tiles were stuck firmly to the wall.
#2. in an unpleasant situation or place that you cannot escape from.
We were stuck in traffic for over an hour.
I hate being stuck at home all day.
#3. stuck (on something): unable to answer or understand something.
I got stuck on the first question.
I'll help you if you're stuck.
#4. stuck (for something): not knowing what to do in a particular situation.
If you're stuck for something to do tonight, come out with us.
I've never known him to be stuck for words before.
#5. stuck with somebody/something: (informal) unable to get rid of somebody/something that you do not want.
I was stuck with him for the whole journey.
I’m stuck with this job for the moment.
>>> get stuck in | get stuck into something (idiom): [=> kick off]
#1. (British English, informal) to start doing something in an enthusiastic way, especially to start eating.
Don’t wait for me - get stuck in.
There’s a lot to do, so get your jackets off and get stuck in!
I want to get stuck into the job as soon as possible.
cordon off /ˈkɔːrdn/ (phr.v)
#1. cordon something off: to stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with police, soldiers, etc.
Police cordoned off the area until the bomb was made safe.
impasse /ˈɪmpæs/ (n):
#1. [usually singular] a difficult situation in which no progress can be made because the people involved cannot agree what to do.
SYNONYM deadlock
to break/end the impasse
Negotiations have reached an impasse.
The Governor attempted to resolve Minnesota’s current budget impasse.
The proposal offered both sides a way out of the diplomatic impasse.
impassable /ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/ /ɪmˈpæsəbl/ (adj):
#1. (of a road, an area, etc.) impossible to travel on or through, especially because it is in bad condition or it has been blocked by something.
The mountain roads are totally impassable to cars in winter.
After the storm, many roads were made impassable by fallen trees.
The river formed an impassable barrier for migrating animals.
The river’s broad mudflats were thought completely impassable.
OPPOSITE passable
state of siege /ˌsteɪt əv ˈsiːdʒ/ (n):
# a situation in which the government limits people’s freedom to enter or leave a city, town or building.
Armed police placed the city centre under a virtual state of siege while the trial continued. (Cảnh sát có vũ trang đặt trung tâm thành phố trong tình trạng bị phong tỏa trong khi phiên tòa tiếp tục.)
lockdown /ˈlɒkdaʊn/ /ˈlɑːkdaʊn/ (n):
#1. [countable, uncountable] an official order to control the movement of people or vehicles because of a dangerous situation.
The government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.
a three-day lockdown of American airspace
Prisoners have been placed on lockdown to prevent further violence at the jail.
The prison governor ordered an instant lockdown (= prisoners were locked in their cells).
The city schools were in lockdown.
isolation /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (n):
#1. [uncountable] the act of separating somebody/something; the state of being separate.
geographical isolation
an isolation hospital/ward (= for people with infectious diseases)
isolation (from somebody/something): The country has been threatened with complete isolation from the international community unless the atrocities stop.
He lives in splendid isolation (= far from, or in a superior position to, everyone else).
the isolation of the polio virus.
#2. isolation (from somebody/something): the state of being alone or lonely.
Many unemployed people experience feelings of isolation and depression.
>>> in isolation (from somebody/something) (idiom):
#1. separately; alone.
To make sense, these figures should not be looked at in isolation.
Words are pronounced differently in isolation from how they are pronounced in context.
social distance /ˌsəʊʃl ˈdɪstəns/ (n):
#1. [uncountable] physical distance that is kept between people during social and work activities, in order to prevent the spread of disease.
Authorities have called on people to stay at home and maintain social distance when they must go out.
social distancing /ˌsəʊʃl ˈdɪstənsɪŋ/ (n):
#1. (also physical distancing) [uncountable] the practice of keeping a safe distance between yourself and other people in order to prevent the spread of disease.
The government called on people to practise social distancing and work from home if possible.