brake
A part of a car, bike, or other machine that makes it go slower or stop.
A mechanical device on a vehicle or machine that uses friction to slow it down or bring it to a stop.
To make a car, bike, or other machine go slower or stop by using the brake.
To use a brake to slow down or stop a moving vehicle or machine.
Something that makes progress slower or stops it.
Something that slows, limits, or restrains progress, growth, or activity.
To make progress or activity slower or smaller.
To slow down, limit, or restrain the development or activity of something.
A kind of fern plant that grows in open fields and woods; another word for bracken.
A type of fern with large, divided fronds, commonly found in fields and woods, also known as bracken.
- Base: brake
- Plural: brake, brakes
- Base: brake
- 3rd Person Singular: brakes
- Present Participle: braking
- Past: braked
apply the brakes
1start using the brakes
To start using the brakes of a vehicle or machine to slow it down.
- The driver applied the brakes as he approached the junction.
- You should apply the brakes gently on wet roads.
- The system automatically applies the brakes if it senses a collision.
brake pedal
1pedal that controls the brakes
The pedal you press with your foot in a car to use the brakes.
- Press the brake pedal with your right foot.
- Her foot slipped off the brake pedal.
- He confused the gas pedal and the brake pedal.
ease off the brakes
1reduce pressure on the brakes
To press the brakes less so that the vehicle can move more freely or faster.
- Ease off the brakes as you come out of the corner.
- He eased off the brakes and the car picked up speed.
- The coach told her to ease off the brakes on the final lap.
emergency brake
1secondary brake for emergencies
A special brake in a vehicle, used to keep it from moving when parked or to help stop it in an emergency.
- Always use the emergency brake when you park on a hill.
- He pulled the emergency brake when the main brakes failed.
- The emergency brake stopped the train just in time.
hit the brakes
1suddenly use the brakes
To suddenly use the brakes of a moving vehicle to make it slow down or stop.
- I had to hit the brakes when the car in front of me stopped.
- He hit the brakes too late and bumped the truck.
- The driver hit the brakes as soon as he saw the red light.
pump the brakes
1press brakes repeatedly; figuratively slow down
Literally, to press and release the brakes again and again. Informally, to tell someone (or yourself) to slow down, calm down, or not move too fast with an idea or plan.
- On ice, it’s safer to gently pump the brakes.
- Okay, let’s pump the brakes and think about this plan.
- He needs to pump the brakes on his spending.
put the brakes on
1slow down or stop something
To make a process, activity, or plan slower or stop it, often because of worry or problems.
- The company decided to put the brakes on new hiring.
- Rising costs have put the brakes on the project.
- The government is putting the brakes on further spending increases.
ride the brakes
1keep brakes slightly on while driving
To keep your foot on the brake pedal while driving so the brakes are slightly on all the time.
- Don’t ride the brakes going downhill or they’ll overheat.
- The instructor told him not to ride the brakes in heavy traffic.
- If you ride the brakes, you’ll wear them out faster.
step on the brake
1press the brake pedal
To press the brake pedal with your foot to slow or stop a vehicle.
- When you see the stop sign, step on the brake.
- She forgot to step on the brake and rolled into the car ahead.
- You need to step on the brake more gently.
slam on the brakes
1Brake suddenly and hard
To push down hard on a car's brake pedal very quickly to stop fast.
- He had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the dog.
- She slammed on the brakes when the light turned red.
slam on the brakes
2press brakes very hard, suddenly
To press the brakes of a moving vehicle very hard and very suddenly.
- She slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the cyclist.
- The bus driver slammed on the brakes and everyone lurched forward.
- You’ll skid if you slam on the brakes on ice.