Put the brakes on

Meaning

The idiom "put the brakes on" means to stop or slow down something, especially suddenly or forcefully. It can also mean to restrain oneself, be cautious, or avoid taking action until more information is available.

Usage

• I need to put the brakes on this project for a while - there are too many changes happening and we need to take a step back.
• He suddenly put the brakes on our plans to go out tonight - he received an urgent call from work.
• She's always putting the brakes on my ideas - I feel like she doesn't trust me.
• The company had to put the brakes on their expansion plans due to financial difficulties.
• We need to be careful and put the brakes on any impulsive decisions until we have all the information.

Roots and History

The idiom "put the brakes on" is believed to originate from the early days of automobiles. When cars first became popular, they did not have reliable braking systems, and drivers had to use their foot or hand to slow down the car. This could be dangerous if the driver suddenly had to stop quickly, so they would "put the brakes on" by slamming on the brake pedal or using a lever to activate the brakes. Over time, the idiom evolved to mean stopping or slowing down something more metaphorically. It has been used in literature and popular culture since at least the 1930s.

Synonyms in English

• hit the brakes
• slam on the brakes
• come to a sudden halt
• stop dead
• put a brake on something

Synonyms in other languages

• French: freiner
• German: brechen (plural) or brechen (singular)
• Spanish: frenar
• Italian: fermare
• Portuguese: parar (plural) or parar (singular)

Similar Idioms

• feet of clay

• push the boat out

• take on