hit the brakes

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it back-water bog down cut back cut down ease off ease up embog hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed rein in set back wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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hit the brakes

Work to add a padel court and luxury car garage hit the brakes after a survey found several species of bat, including the common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelles, foraging in the grounds.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

Yesterday’s big chip stock selloff hit the brakes, but struggles among some larger key players in the AI space washed out any chances for a solid day of gains.

From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026

Ferrari stuck to the course on EVs even as peers such as Porsche hit the brakes in response to tepid demand for electric sports cars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026

The maker of the 911 sports car has seen profits collapse due to plunging Chinese sales, US tariffs, and a costly decision to hit the brakes on its troubled electric transition.

From Barron's ● May 8, 2026

I hit the brakes, and we start to skid.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

hit the brakes

Example Sentences

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