hit the skids

To rapidly slow down or stop a moving vehicle by mashing down the brake pedal. So named because of the tires skidding when done in a car without anti-lock brakes.

Can also be used in a metaphorical sense, in which it means to halt whatever action or process is currently occurring.

The police were waiting with a speed trap around the bend, so I hit the skids.

by SnarkyNinja June 3, 2009