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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.

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

Shale companies have defied predictions that they would hit the brakes and pushed the national crude output to a record average of 13.6 million barrels of oil a day last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

By 2021, Gray was burned out from the commute and was looking to hit the brakes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Now, almost as quickly as the row accelerated, President Trump has hit the brakes.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

"I hate that sound. Matter of fact, I'd be a school bus that could fly. That way I ain't gotta hit the brakes and make all that noise."

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

hit the brakes

Example Sentences

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