Gridlock, or stalemate, occurs when opposing parties or groups cannot reach an agreement, leading to a standstill in decision-making. This situation often arises in political contexts, such as when legislators from different parties cannot compromise on a proposed law, resulting in no progress on important issues. In a broader sense, gridlock can also refer to any scenario where conflicting interests prevent movement or resolution. For example, in traffic, gridlock happens when vehicles are unable to move due to congestion, illustrating how competing demands can halt progress in various areas of life.