Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei…
Neil …and hello, I am Neil.
Feifei Neil, was that a brand-new bike I saw you arrive on today?
Neil It was – thank you for noticing. It’s a racing bike with 21 gears and ‘go faster’ stripes on it.
Feifei Nice – but didn’t you buy a new mountain bike last week?
Neil I did, to go with the spare one I bought last month. I love bikes!
Feifei Neil, if you don’t mind me saying – you need to put the brakes on your spending.
Neil Err, you want me to slow down? You think I’ll got too fast?
Feifei Not exactly. I’m talking about slowing down how much money you’re spending. The expression ‘put the brakes on’ or ‘to put a brake on’ something means to stop or slow down an activity. So, Neil, would you like to hear some other people putting their brakes on something?
Neil Will it cost me anything?
Feifei No. They’re free!
Examples We’ve put the brakes on our plans to expand the business – there’s not enough demand anymore.
Let’s put the brakes on our holiday plans – we haven’t got enough money at the moment.
The company’s putting the brakes on recruitment because of the economic downturn.
Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. We’re learning about the phrase ‘put the brakes on’ something, which means to slow down or stop an activity. And Neil, I think you’re buying too many bikes, so you need to put the brakes on your spending.
Neil Good advice, Feifei! You know what? I’m going to sell them – what do I need three bikes for?
Feifei Finally, Neil has listened to me. He’s going to sell his bikes!
Neil That’s right. I’m going to put the brakes on cycling and start a new hobby… I’m going to get an e-scooter – much quicker!
Feifei More spending! I’m going to put a brake on giving you advice – you never listen.
Neil Sorry, what did you say?
Feifei Bye, Neil!