be in the mire

To remain stuck in a situation that is not ideal or desirable and from which escape or improvement is difficult or unlikely. The company's smartphone division has been in the mire for the last few years, failing to make any headway against its competitors. It's yet another piece of legislation that is now in the mire because of endless political infighting. Those two are still in the mire? Geez, I figured they must have broken up by now.

be mired in the past

To be overly focused on the past, especially to the point that it interferes with one's current situation. You're just mired in the past right now. You need to move on from Tiffany and date somebody new. If you think that kind of rhetoric is effective anymore, then you're still mired in the past. I know Grandpa's always been mired in the past, but this is getting ridiculous—one of us needs to show him how to use a computer

be stuck in the mire

To remain stuck in a situation that is not ideal or desirable and from which escape or improvement is difficult or unlikely. The company's smartphone division has been stuck in the mire for the last few years, failing to make any headway against its competitors. It's yet another piece of legislation that is now stuck in the mire because of endless political infighting. Those two are still stuck in the mire? Geez, I figured they must have broken up by now.

drag (one's) name through the mire

To disparage one publicly, especially to the detriment of one's reputation. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, and Brad totally dragged my name through the mire! Don't drag my name through the mire—you're the one who messed up the budget! Once you're that famous, the tabloids just constantly drag your name through the mire.

in the mire

Ensnared or entangled in a situation that is not ideal or desirable and from which escape or improvement is difficult or unlikely. The company's smartphone division has been stuck in the mire for the last few years, failing to make any headway against its competitors. It's yet another piece of legislation that is now in the mire because of endless political infighting. Those two are still in the mire? Geez, I figured they must have broken up by now.

mired in the past

Overly focused on the past, especially to the point that it interferes with one's current situation. I know Tiffany was your dream girl, but you can't stay mired in the past. You need to move on. If you think that kind of rhetoric is effective anymore, then you're still mired in the past.

stuck in the mire

Ensnared or entangled in a situation that is not ideal or desirable and from which escape or improvement is difficult or unlikely. The company's smartphone division has been stuck in the mire for the last few years, failing to make any headway against its competitors. It's yet another piece of legislation that has gotten stuck in the mire because of endless political squabbling.

wallow in the mire

To remain stuck in an undesirable or negative situation due to one's unwillingness to do something to change. Jane left you six months ago—it's time to stop wallowing in the mire and get back to living your life.