brake failure
1
3.9
- noun
- /breɪk ˈfeɪljər/
- Specialized
:
falla de frenos
- This is a safety issue: replacing the pads without rebuilding the calipers carries a remote but distinct possibility of future brake failure.
Examples
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If you were looking to buy a new car, and one model had a 40% increased risk of brake failure, would
Blog text (29) -
I'm thinking maybe a possible brake failure.
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- It felt like brake failure.
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"Something about the rails, and a brake failure.
Fiction book (1992) -
Our flight was stuck in Fort Myers with brake failure.
Academic text (1995) -
A lorry carrying timber... ...had a brake failure... ...and ploughed into the market, killing several people.
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Alternatively, mechanical failures such as a tire blowout or brake failure appear to be responsible in 4% to 13% of cases (Treat et al., 1979).
Academic text (2002) -
The accident was caused by a sudden brake failure, which left the driver unable to stop the vehicle in time.
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To enhance safety, it is crucial to perform regular maintenance checks to prevent brake failure while driving.
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He was involved in a crash because of brake failure, highlighting the importance of verifying brake functionality before long trips.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a situation in which the brakes do not function' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'brake' (device for stopping) + 'failure' (loss of normal function). This noun+noun compound follows a transparent pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The term brake failure gives a clear image: the vehicle's brake has a failure and the wheels keep turning. So it means 'brakes do not work' and the vehicle cannot stop.