The meaning of Curb

noun

A device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, typically by applying pressure to the wheels.

Usage examples:

He slammed on his brakes

verb

Another term for brake van.

noun

An open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels.

Usage examples:

The cost of travelling by alternative means such as coach or brake was prohibitive over a season, s…

noun

The headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached.

Usage examples:

Grooms came at once to take the bridles

verb

Put a bridle on (a horse).

Usage examples:

Five horses, saddled and bridled, were tied by the reins to branches of trees

verb

Examine (something) in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something.

Usage examples:

Customs officers have the right to check all luggage

noun

An examination to test or ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition.

Usage examples:

A campaign calling for regular checks on gas appliances

exclamation

Us spelling of cheque.

noun

A concerted or harsh attempt to suppress something.

Usage examples:

A clampdown on crime

noun

A limitation or restriction.

Usage examples:

Time constraints make it impossible to do everything

noun

Something that limits the range of a person’s actions or freedom

Usage examples:

In egypt, the biggest constraint on new agricultural production is water.

noun

Something that controls what you can do by keeping you within particular limits

Usage examples:

The constraint of distribution costs remains the severest of all., budget/financial, etc. constrain…

verb

Have or hold (someone or something) within.

Usage examples:

The cigarettes were thought to contain cannabis

noun

The power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events.

Usage examples:

The whole operation is under the control of a production manager

verb

Determine the behaviour or supervise the running of.

Usage examples:

He was appointed to control the company's marketing strategy

verb

Power to direct or determine

noun

A series of severe measures to restrict undesirable or illegal people or behaviour.

Usage examples:

A crackdown on car crime

noun

An action by an authority to stop something

Usage examples:

The government is calling for a crackdown on drivers who speed through red lights.

noun

A situation in which someone starts to deal with bad or illegal behaviour in a more severe way

Usage examples:

There are signs the crackdown is working as designed., crackdown on there has been a series of gove…

noun

A person or thing that has a subduing or inhibiting effect.

Usage examples:

There's nothing like a swarm of bees to completely put a damper on a graduation ceremony

adjective

Slightly wet.

Usage examples:

Her hair was still damp from the shower

noun

A device that reduces vibration (= fast shaking), for example in an engine

Usage examples:

The system includes a motor with appropriate gear transmission and a damper., the new model has new…

noun

A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.

Usage examples:

Cameras are a major deterrent to crime

adjective

Able or intended to deter.

Usage examples:

The deterrent effect of heavy prison sentences

noun

Something that deters people from doing something

Usage examples:

A nuclear deterrent, tougher prison sentences may act/serve as a deterrent to other would-be offend…

noun

The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Usage examples:

A lack of proper parental and school discipline

verb

Train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Usage examples:

Many parents have been afraid to discipline their children

noun

Training that produces obedience or self-control, often in the form of rules and punishments if these are broken, or the obedience or self-control produced by this training

Usage examples:

Military discipline, learning a foreign language requires discipline., an academic discipline, he w…

phrasal verb

Defend oneself

phrasal verb

To try hard not to show a strong emotion

Usage examples:

She fought back the tears as she watched her brother go., you’ve seen him fight back every time he’…

verb

Conduct the policy, actions, and affairs of (a state, organization, or people) with authority.

Usage examples:

He was incapable of governing the country

verb

To control and be responsible for the public business of a country, state, city, or other organized group

Usage examples:

[ t ] the newly elected president will govern the country for four years., prices of manufactured g…

verb

To control and manage a country, city, group of people, etc.

Usage examples:

The party was accused of being unfit to govern., today, he governs a state where hispanics make up …

idiom

Refrain from doing

phrasal verb

Hesitate to act or speak.

Usage examples:

He held back, remembering the mistake he had made before

phrasal verb

Prevent or restrict the progress or development of someone or something.

Usage examples:

My lack of experience held me back a bit

noun

A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.

Usage examples:

The failure showed the limits of british power

verb

Set or serve as a limit to.

Usage examples:

Try to limit the amount you drink

noun

The greatest amount, number, or level allowed or possible

Usage examples:

There’s a limit to her patience., two cups of coffee are my limit., spending limits were imposed by…

noun

A limiting rule or circumstance; a restriction.

Usage examples:

Severe limitations on water use

noun

The act of controlling, or something that controls

Usage examples:

[ c ] the major limitation of early record players was the short playing time of the records., [ u …

noun

Something that controls or reduces something

Usage examples:

Limitation on/upon sth there are strict limitations on where such businesses can locate., impose/pl…

noun

A long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse in riding or driving.

Usage examples:

Spotting them, she quickly grabbed the reins and led the horses back at a trot.

verb

Check or guide (a horse) by pulling on its reins.

Usage examples:

He reined in his horse and waited

noun

A long thin piece of material, esp. leather, used to control a horse

phrasal verb

To control something and stop it increasing

Usage examples:

Consumers tend to rein in their spending in a recession., some of the worst wall street abuses have…

verb

Subdue (someone or something) by force.

Usage examples:

The uprisings were repressed

verb

Prevent (someone or something) from doing something; keep under control or within limits.

Usage examples:

The need to restrain public expenditure

noun

A measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control.

Usage examples:

Decisions are made within the financial restraints of the budget

noun

A limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one.

Usage examples:

Planning restrictions on commercial development

noun

Something that limits someone's actions or movement, or limits the amount, size, etc., of something

Usage examples:

[ c ] you can get a discount fare, but some restrictions (= rules about limits) apply.

noun

An official limit or control on what people or companies are allowed to do, or on what can happen

Usage examples:

Impose/place/put restrictions on sth this practice imposes unneccessary restrictions on employment.…

adjective

(chiefly of a synthetic or treated fabric or substance) not readily susceptible to fire.

Usage examples:

Fire-retardant polymers

noun

A fabric or substance that prevents or inhibits something, especially the outbreak of fire.

Usage examples:

A brand of fire retardant

noun

(a substance) that makes the progress or growth of something slower

Usage examples:

Potted plants are commonly treated with (a) growth retardant so that they retain their shape., fire…

noun

A restriction on a person or activity.

Usage examples:

The strictures imposed by the british board of film censors

noun

A statement of severe criticism or disapproval

Usage examples:

The strictures of the united nations have failed to have any effect on the warring factions., relig…

verb

Forcibly put an end to.

Usage examples:

The rising was savagely suppressed

verb

To end something by force

Usage examples:

He either has to begin reforms, or he has to suppress the opposition., he was accused of suppressin…

verb

To prevent something from being seen or expressed

Usage examples:

Any decisions to suppress information would have been made by senior managers, not by shareholders.…

noun

A drug or other substance which acts to suppress or restrain something.

Usage examples:

An appetite suppressant

adjective

(of an animal) not dangerous or frightened of people; domesticated.

Usage examples:

The fish are so tame you have to push them away

verb

Domesticate (an animal).

Usage examples:

Wild rabbits can be kept in captivity and eventually tamed

noun

Restrictions or impediments to freedom of action.

Usage examples:

We will forge our own future, free from the trammels of materialism

verb

Deprive of freedom of action.

Usage examples:

We have no wish to be trammelled by convention