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brake; drag; skid; pawl
brake (on inflation, spending, etc.); check; restraint; (imposed) limit
歯止めが効かなくなった。
The restraint stopped working.
支出に歯止めをかける必要がある。
We need to put a check on spending.
少子化に歯止めがかかる兆しはない。
There is no sign of the declining birthrate being checked.