run aground

• S'échouer sur le fond d'une étendue d'eau, généralement en parlant d'un navire ou d'une barque ; également utilisé au sens figuré pour décrire un plan ou un projet qui rencontre de graves difficultés ou qui s'arrête.

To become stuck on the bottom of a body of water, typically referring to a ship or boat; also used figuratively to describe a plan or project that has encountered serious difficulties or has come to a halt.

1. Ship stuck on shoreB2formal

   When a ship or boat becomes stuck on the bottom of a shallow body of water, such as a sandbank or reef.

   s'échouer

   • The cargo ship ran aground off the coast of Ireland.
   • The captain tried to steer away but the vessel ran aground on the sandbar.
   • After running aground, the crew had to wait for the tide to rise.

2. Encounter a major obstacleC1informal

   To encounter a serious problem or obstacle that stops progress.

   échouer face à un obstacle majeur

   • The project ran aground due to lack of funding.
   • Their plans ran aground when the main investor pulled out.
   • The negotiations ran aground over disagreements about the contract terms.