riding the brakes

A form of ride the brakes — To apply the brakes excessively, such that their working life will be shortened; most especially, to keep one's foot or hand on the brake pedal or lever even when no braking is needed.

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Meanings

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of ride the brakes
Cite this entry
APA

riding the brakes. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riding%20the%20brakes

MLA

“riding the brakes.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riding%20the%20brakes. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “riding the brakes,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riding%20the%20brakes.

Source: riding the brakes on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.