brake

brake

I

brake¹ /breɪk/ noun [countable]
1. [often plural] a piece of equipment that makes a vehicle go more slowly or stop:
    Test your brakes after driving through water.
    I managed to put the brakes on just in time.
    Moira slammed on the brakes (=used them suddenly and with a lot of force).
    apply the brakes formal:
    He applied the brakes but failed to stop in time.
    the rear/front brakes
    the screech of brakes (=the loud unpleasant noise they can make) ⇨ anti-lock braking system, emergency brake, handbrake, parking brake
2. act as a brake on something to make something develop more slowly, be more difficult to do, or happen less:
    Rises in interest rates act as a brake on expenditure.
3. put the brakes on something to stop something that is happening
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ put the brakes on (=use the brakes) Put the brakes on – you’re going too fast.
   ▪ apply the brakes formal (=use them) Apply the brakes as you approach the roundabout.
   ▪ slam on/jam on/hit the brakes (=use them suddenly and with a lot of force) The car in front stopped suddenly and I had to slam on the brakes.
   ▪ release the brake (=stop using the foot or hand brake) The traffic lights turned green and I released the brake.
   ▪ brakes fail (=do not work when you use them) Going down the mountain I was afraid the brakes might fail.
   ▪ brakes screech (=make a high noise when you use them) The brakes screeched and the train finally stopped.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + brake
   ▪ faulty (=not working properly) Faulty brakes may have caused the accident. | The brakes could have been faulty.
   ▪ the rear/front brakes (=for the rear/front wheels) The rear brakes were ineffective.
   ▪ the foot brake (=one you apply with your foot, to slow the car down) He stamped on the foot brake.
   ▪ the hand brake (also the emergency brake, the parking brake American English) (=one you apply with your hand, to stop the car moving when parked) I tried to drive off with the hand brake still on.
   ▪ anti-lock brakes (=that do not cause the wheels to lock and skid if the brakes are used suddenly) The car comes equipped with anti-lock brakes.
■ brake + NOUN
   ▪ the brake pedal (=that you press with your foot) She pressed the brake pedal but nothing happened.
   ▪ brake failure (=when brakes do not work) What should you do in the event of a brake failure?
■ phrases
   ▪ the screech of brakes (=the loud unpleasant sound of a car stopping suddenly) I heard the screech of brakes in the road outside.

II

brake² verb [intransitive]
to make a vehicle or bicycle go more slowly or stop by using its brake
    brake sharply/hard (=brake quickly)
    He braked sharply to avoid the dog.