"To arrest the development" means to prevent or hinder the progress or growth of something or someone. It implies stopping them from advancing or reaching their full potential. Full definition
So what is it — aside perhaps from arrested development — that accounts for such disproportionate emotional investment in the ultimately insignificant? (firstthings.com)
A fascinating flick as much about a possible miscarriage of justice as about a case of arrested development who looks like a little girl playing house with an imaginary mate. (kamwilliams.com)
My peanuts got arrested development and never get past the sandy / dry stage. (davidlebovitz.com)