jamming on the brakes
Sudden hard stop
Jamming on the brakes means pressing the brake pedal suddenly and forcefully, typically in an emergency: A kid ran into the street and I had to jam on the brakes.
The phrase emphasizes abruptness—not gradual slowing but an immediate, hard stop.
Figuratively, it can describe any sudden halt to momentum: The company jammed on the brakes when costs spiraled.
- emergency stopInstant shutdown mechanism
- sudden stopInstantaneous end to motion
- rear-end collisionCrash into back
- fender benderMinor vehicle collision
- pile upAccumulate in quantity
reaction time · split second · close call · near miss · skid marks · deceleration · tailgating · bumper to bumper · hydraulic system · friction · ABS · distracted driving · mechanical failure · oversteering · collision avoidance · stopping distance · road rage · traffic congestion
jamming on the brakesflooring it
Accelerating with full force
pedal to the metal · hitting the gas · putting the hammer down · speeding up · full throttle