Crossword Genius

Stop harlot dating around (5,2,1,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grind to a halt

'stop' is the definition.
(to grind to a halt is to stop suddenly)

'harlot dating around' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates an anagram.
'harlot'+'dating'='harlotdating'
'harlotdating' is an anagram of 'GRIND TO A HALT'.

(Other definitions for grind to a halt that I've seen before include "Gradually cease moving" , "Stop gradually but finally" , "Run out of steam" , "Slow gradually, then stop completely" , "Slow to a standstill" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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