come to a full stop

1. To physically halt forward motion. When you take your driving test, remember to come to a full stop at every stop sign. Every driver came to a full stop as the police car, with its flashing lights and siren, sped by. Come to a full stop at the end of the block! Do not cross that street without me!

2. To reach an end point, often abruptly or due to difficulties. My research has come to a full stop because every experiment I've tried so far has failed. I'm afraid we've come to a full stop in our investigation. How are you going to continue to progress in your current job? Sounds to me like any advancement has come to a full stop.

come to a full ˈstop

(British English) stop unexpectedly before something is or seems to be finished: It’s a very strange book — you’re in the middle of the story and it suddenly comes to a full stop. ♢ She came to a full stop and seemed unable to go on with her speech.

Full stop here refers to the mark ( . ) used at the end of a sentence.