put the brakes on
Slow things down
To put the brakes on is to slow or stop something's progress.
The metaphor comes from vehicle brakes—applying them halts forward motion.
The phrase typically describes deliberately slowing a process, project, or trend: The budget cuts put the brakes on hiring.
We need to put the brakes on this spending before it gets out of control.
Cease all motion
- ceaseTo discontinue activity
- endFinal portion or cessation
- terminateBring to an end
- discontinueTo stop doing
suspend · freeze · abort · cancel · block · arrest · quash · kill
Reduce velocity
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- easeLack of strain
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
- slackenBecome less taut
temper · dampen · taper · scale back · wind down · downshift · dial back · rein in
Temporary cessation of activity
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- reassessEvaluate a second time
- think twiceDeliberate before acting
hold off · wait · deliberate · take stock · step back · pull back
stop
Cease all motion
discontinue · suspend · freeze · abort · cancel · block · arrest · quash · kill · scrap
decelerate
Reduce velocity
slacken · temper · dampen · taper · scale back · wind down · downshift · dial back · rein in · hold back
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- reconsiderThink about something anew
- reassessEvaluate a second time
think twice · hold off · wait · deliberate · take stock · step back · pull back
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- racing termsbackstretch, checkered flag, daily double, dead heat, exacta
put the brakes onaccelerate
Increase in velocity
speed up · step on the gas · floor it · gun it · put the pedal to the metal
put the brakes onpush forward
Proceed with determination
advance · move forward · fast-track · expedite · forge ahead