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abbremsen

to brake, to slow to a stop

verb AP-brem-zen Rare
Travel & Places Movement

Also means

to bring to a halt (figurative)

Usage Note

abbremsen emphasises the action of applying brakes to reduce or stop movement, more dynamic than bremsen alone. Scharf abbremsen (brake hard) is a common phrase; figuratively, jemanden abbremsen means to hold someone back or slow their progress.

Examples

"Der Fahrer musste scharf abbremsen, als ein Kind auf die Straße lief."

Natural Translation

The driver had to brake hard when a child ran into the road.

Literal Translation

The driver had to sharply brake, when a child ran onto the road.

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