snail's pace; slow progress
Used for extremely slow movement or progress, often in a critical or humorous tone. Common in political contexts for filibustering or delaying tactics.
The negotiations progressed at a snail's pace.
The opposition party used a filibustering tactic in the Diet.
The negotiations are proceeding at a snail's pace.
Everyone is frustrated with reforms that move at a snail's pace.
速歩 describes a brisk, fast pace (like a trot), the direct opposite of the crawling slowness implied by 牛歩.
snail's pace tactics; ox walk tactic
Compound of 牛 (ox) and 歩 (walk), referring to the slow, plodding gait of an ox.