Definition of bog down

The phrase "to bog down" is an English idiom that means "to become helplessly slow or difficult to progress". The word "bog" refers to a type of wet, soft ground, often found in marshy areas, where it's easy for someone or something to get stuck or sink. The origin of the phrase "to bog down" can be traced back to the mid-19th century in Scotland. At that time, peat was widely used as fuel, and boggy ground was a common obstacle for people traveling by foot or horseback. When a horse or person became bogged down in soft, spongy ground, it was difficult to extract them, causing delays and frustration. The term "bog" is derived from the Old Norse word "baggr", which means "tobbed peat". Peat, a deposit of partially decayed vegetation, is formed in wet, low-lying areas and provides a valuable source of fuel. As people traveled through peaty ground, their boots would sink into the spongy turf, making it challenging to move forward. The phrase "to bog down" became a way to describe this common occurrence, and it quickly spread to other parts of the English-speaking world.