emergency brake
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emergency brake
A device in a vehicle, especially on a train, with which passengers or staff can trigger an immediate stop in a dangerous situation.
Als ein Kind auf die Gleise fiel, zog ein Passagier sofort die Notbremse.
When a child fell onto the tracks, a passenger immediately pulled the emergency brake.
This word is made up of 'die Not' (emergency, danger) and 'die Bremse' (brake). So it is literally a brake for emergencies.
Die schnelle Reaktion und das Ziehen der Notbremse haben Schlimmeres verhindert.
The quick reaction and pulling of the emergency brake prevented worse from happening.
In both the literal and figurative meanings, 'die Notbremse' (emergency brake) is almost always used with the verb 'ziehen' (to pull). The fixed expression is 'die Notbremse ziehen' (to pull the emergency brake).
Als der Busfahrer einen seltsamen Geruch bemerkte, zog er die Notbremse.
When the bus driver noticed a strange smell, he pulled the emergency brake.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If the topic is something abstract like politics, business, finance, or projects, the figurative meaning is almost always meant.
Nach dem Skandal zog der Minister die Notbremse und trat zurück.
After the scandal, the minister pulled the emergency brake and resigned.
brake / horsefly
'die Bremse' and 'die Notbremse' both have to do with stopping or slowing down. 'Die Bremse' is the normal device on a vehicle or machine. You use it in everyday situations to slow down or stop. 'Die Notbremse', on the other hand, is meant for dangerous situations, especially on a train. It is intended to be used immediately and only in an emergency. Figuratively, 'eine Bremse' can be something that hinders progress. 'Die Notbremse ziehen' then means to intervene very decisively before something bad happens. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with braking. The important point is: 'die Bremse' is normal, while 'die Notbremse' is for emergencies or for a drastic stop.
Im Zug darf man die Notbremse nur bei echter Gefahr ziehen.
On the train, you may only pull the emergency brake in real danger.
Vor der Kreuzung trat sie langsam auf die Bremse.
Before the intersection, she slowly stepped on the brake.