slam on the brakes

present singular third person slams on the brakes · participle present slamming on the brakes · participle past slammed on the brakes · past slammed on the brakes

1. literallyslangTo press down hard on the brakes of a vehicle in order to make it stop suddenly.

   Driving 2-6-2 locomotive No. 4771 Green Arrow, Blunt suddenly noticed that the tunnel mouth was silhouetted in a dazzling white glare and that incendiary bombs were showering down in their hundreds, he slammed on all his brakes and brought his train to a stop just inside the tunnel.

   1944 July and August, “Top Link Drivers: XXI—Driver H. Blunt, L.N.E.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 226

   Synonyms: jam on the brakes

2. figurativelyslangTo abruptly halt any activity or progress, especially due to problems or financial reasons.