jam the brake(s) on
jam the brake(s) on
1. Literally, to quickly press on a vehicle's brakes to slow down or stop. He jammed the brakes on when he saw the child running into the street. You risk doing your car serious damage if you jam the brake on without shifting down the gears.
2. By extension, to slow down or stop something one is doing. In this usage, the thing being stopped can be stated after "on." We had to jam the brakes on development when we found out the investors were pulling out.
See also: jam, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
jam the brakes on
to press down hard on a vehicle's brakes. Alice jammed the brakes on and the car skidded all over the place. She jammed on the brakes.
See also: brake, jam, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- jam (on) the brake(s)
- jam on the brake
- jam the brakes on
- slam (on) the brake(s)
- slam the brake(s) on
- slam the brakes on
- brake
- hit the brakes
- put on the brakes
- ease up