pull on the brakes

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that one should stop or slow down a particular action. Example: "We are running late, so pull on the brakes and let's get organized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When you have less power — and the GOP has less power as long as it cannot override a president's veto and that president persists in taking executive actions in which the people have no say at all, not even through their representatives — the best you can do is dig in, pull on the brakes and hope you can delay the train until you can do something you think is better.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pull on the brake lever several times.

WikiHow

Braking is great (I use aero levers with groovy old Gran Compe centrepull brakes) -- as good as on drop bars when pulling on the levers from the drops, better than when trying to brake from the tops of the hoods.

Stanford University

That way if the alarm goes off, the solenoids would pull on the hand brakes and lock up the bicycle.

Cornell University

I roll off the throttle rather than chop it off, and gradually pull on the front brake instead of grabbing the lever.

Forbes

Now as your back wheel is coming down use its inertia to forcefully touch the ground and lift the front wheel while leaning backwards or you can Pull on the back brake and lean until the front wheel lifts.

WikiHow

Pull on the first front brake.

WikiHow

The button runs to a microprocessor, which sends information to a linear actuator that in turn pulls on a mechanical brake to make the wheels come to a complete stop.

Cornell University

Big Brown went 1 54.86 with Desormeaux pulling on the parking brake.

Los Angeles Times

Pull on the ends.

WikiHow

Pull on the arm.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull on the brakes" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or effort in stopping something, whether it's a vehicle or a metaphorical process.

Common error

Avoid using "pull on the brakes" in contexts where a gentle slowing down is intended. Opt for phrases like "ease off the accelerator" or "gradually reduce speed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull on the brakes" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, and it describes the action of applying the brakes, either literally in the context of operating a vehicle or metaphorically to halt or slow down a process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pull on the brakes" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the action of applying brakes or metaphorically halting or slowing down a process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable. While relatively rare, it finds usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki entries, and academic discussions. Alternative expressions like "apply the brakes" or "put on the brakes" may be more conventional in certain situations, but "pull on the brakes" effectively conveys a sense of urgency or deliberate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply the brakes

Replaces "pull on" with "apply", focusing on the action of engaging the brakes.

engage the brakes

Similar to "apply the brakes", emphasizing the activation of the braking system.

slam on the brakes

Implies a sudden and forceful application of the brakes.

put on the brakes

A more general way of saying to slow down or stop.

hit the brakes

Similar to "slam on the brakes" but can also refer to a normal braking action.

slow down

A more general term for reducing speed or activity.

halt progress

Used in a metaphorical sense to stop advancement.

curtail activity

To reduce or restrict a particular action or undertaking.

put a stop to

To bring something to an end.

cease operations

A formal way of saying to stop a business activity.

FAQs

How can I use "pull on the brakes" in a sentence?

You can use "pull on the brakes" to describe a literal action, such as a driver pulling the brake lever. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate stopping or slowing down a process or activity. For example: "When the project started to go over budget, we had to "pull on the brakes" and reassess our spending."

What does "pull on the brakes" mean?

"Pull on the brakes" means to stop or slow down a vehicle by applying the brakes. It can also be used figuratively to describe stopping or slowing down any activity or process.

What can I say instead of "pull on the brakes"?

Alternatives to "pull on the brakes" include "apply the brakes", "put on the brakes", or "slow down", depending on the specific context.

Is "pull on the brakes" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pull on the brakes" is grammatically correct. However, it's worth noting that some might prefer alternative expressions like "apply the brakes" as they may sound more natural or conventional depending on the context and region.