to brake
- verb
- /breɪk/
- The driver learned the hard way that it's important to brake well before a sharp curve.
But most interestingly, the throttle response and braking are very, very gradual and soft.
- But most interestingly, the throttle response and braking are very, very gradual and soft.
- So, you know, braking and braking and throttle slash steering.
Examples
-
The taxi swerved a little in the snow when it braked beside them.
Fiction book (1995) -
He didn't brake in time at a red light.
-
You never step on the gas and brake at the same time.
-
I know when to shift, when to gas, when to brake.
-
We followed, Edward driving, forgetting to brake until the last moment at every light.
Fiction book (1992) -
You gotta build in enough time to brake before chicane one.
-
No, you press the pedal to the left of it to brake.
-
Time stretches to a nightmarish crawl as John tries to brake to a stop.
Fiction book (1991) -
Maria laughed and clung to the dash as I braked for a light.
Fiction book (1993) -
Unexpectedly, Vernon braked, then took a sharp left onto a narrow paved road.
Fiction book (1995)
Synonyms
To slow down
To press the foot pedal hard to stop a car suddenly
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A flat piece in a car that presses the brake disc to slow or stop a wheel
- Specialized
A red light at the back of a car that comes on when you press the pedal to stop
- Specialized
A round metal part beside a wheel that slows the wheel when pads press both sides
- Specialized
A set of parts that make a vehicle like a car slow down or stop when you press the pedal
- Specialized
A layer of firm material on a wheel part that presses on metal to slow a car
- Specialized
A device that stops a vehicle wheel by pressing curved metal pieces inside a round drum
- Specialized
A hollow round metal part on a wheel that brake shoes push against to stop the vehicle
- Specialized
A curved metal block inside a wheel that presses a drum to slow its spin
- Specialized
A small hinged flap or parachute on an aircraft that increases drag to slow descent
- Specialized
A strong flexible strip tightened around a drum or shaft to slow its turning
- Specialized
A part in a car's brake system that holds and pushes brake fluid to make the brakes work
- Specialized
A fern that grows on rocks in northern North America with fronds like parsley
- Archaic
A machine that separates the woody parts of flax stems from the fibers used to make linen
- Specialized
A metal tube in a vehicle that holds fluid and uses a piston to stop the wheels
How Hard
- Informal
Surface Forms
Etymology
Brake comes from the idea of using a tool to press on a wheel to make it slow down, like putting a block against a moving wheel. So to brake is to make a vehicle 'slow down' or 'stop'.