堰せき止とめる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

dam up; hold back; stem the flow

Primarily used for physically blocking water or a flow; also for stopping movement or progress of something concrete.

• 大おお雨あめで川かわを堰せき止とめる工こう事じが急いそがれた。

  Work to dam up the river was rushed due to heavy rain.

• 警けい官かんがデモ隊たいの行こう進しんをせき止とめた。

  The police held back the march of the demonstrators.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

stem; check; halt

Figurative use: stopping the progress or spread of an activity, trend, or abstract thing.

• 政せい府ふは感かん染せん拡かく大だいをせき止とめる対たい策さくを発はっ表ぴょうした。

  The government announced measures to stem the spread of infection.

• 彼かれの一ひと言ことが議ぎ論ろんの流ながれをせき止とめた。

  His single remark checked the flow of the discussion.