fall flat, head for showdown, grind to a halt. Egypt Heads for Showdown

U.K.'s Long and Winding Road

Chancellor George Osborne faces a test at next week's U.K. budget statement, with the economy grinding to a halt in the face of the euro-zone crisis.

Egypt Heads for Showdown
Egypt's military leadership was on a collision course with protesters as its promises on reforms fell flat with a growing crowd of demonstrators.

grind to a halt

Also, come to a grinding halt. Gradually come to a standstill or end. For example, Once the funding stopped, the refurbishing project ground to a halt, or She's come to a grinding halt with that book she's writing. This expression alludes to a clogged engine that gradually stops or a ship that runs aground.

fall flat

Fail, prove to be ineffective, as in His jokes nearly always fell flat--no one ever laughed at them. [First half of 1800s]

showdown

/ˈʃəʊdaʊn/

noun

1. 1.

   a final test or confrontation intended to settle a dispute.

   "he and his government were lurching towards an angry showdown with their critics"

   Similar:

   confrontation

   deciding event

   clash

   face-off

   moment of truth

   crisis
2. 2.

   (in poker or brag) the requirement at the end of a round that the players who remain in should show their cards to determine which is the strongest hand.