(mechanical engineering, automotive, rail transport) A brake in a vehicle, set by hand, and usually locking on until released by hand, enabling its use when parked.

To apply the handbrake in a vehicle.

plural of handbrake

simple past tense and past participle of handbrake

present participle of handbrake

(automotive) An automobile driving manoeuvre where the driver starts turning the vehicle and then pulls on the handbrake to make the rear tyres lose adhesion and thus cause the back of the vehicle to slide around (in the direction of the turn).

plural of handbrake turn

(figuratively) To let go; to stop an internally imposed restraint. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see release, handbrake.