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

The company said the vehicle had hit the brakes, reducing the car’s speed from 17 mph to 6 mph at the time of impact.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

Investors are not yet convinced by Ferrari's shift to electric, which comes as other carmakers have hit the brakes on expanding their electric ranges due to slower takeup than they hoped for.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

Baker had to hit the brakes to avoid the collision, and the passenger, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, fell off the seat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

Combs hit the brakes, pulled off the road, and ran back to help.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

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